UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

___________________

 

FORM 8-K

___________________

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 27, 2014

 

Green Brick Partners, Inc.

_________________________________________________

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-33530   20-5952523
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
        Identification Number)

 

  3131 Harvard Ave., Suite 104      
  Dallas, Texas   75205  
  (Address of principal   (Zip code)  
  executive offices)      

  

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (214) 453-0145

 

BIOFUEL ENERGY CORP.

1600 Broadway, Suite 1740

________Denver, Colorado 80202________
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
___________________


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 
 

 

Item 1.01.Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On October 27, 2014, Green Brick Partners, Inc. (formerly named BioFuel Energy Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), entered into (i) a Registration Rights Agreement, with certain affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc., James R. Brickman and certain family members of and trusts affiliated with James R. Brickman (the “Seller Registration Rights Agreement”), (ii) a Backstop Registration Rights Agreement, with certain affiliates of Third Point LLC (the “Third Point Registration Rights Agreement”), (iii) a Loan Agreement, with the lenders from time to time party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent (the “Loan Agreement”), (iv) a Guaranty, with certain subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent (the “Guaranty”), and (v) a Pledge and Security Agreement, with certain subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC, as collateral agent (the “Pledge and Security Agreement”).

 

The descriptions of the Seller Registration Rights Agreement and the Third Point Registration Rights Agreement set forth below in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K are incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions of the Loan Agreement, Guaranty and Pledge and Security Agreement set forth in Item 2.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.01.Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

On October 27, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of all of the equity interests in JBGL Builder Finance LLC and certain subsidiaries of JBGL Capital, LP (collectively, “JBGL”), as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2014 (the “Transaction Agreement”), by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., certain affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Brickman Member Joint Venture (collectively, the “Sellers”), and JBGL for $275 million. Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement, the $275 million purchase price was paid approximately $191.8 million in cash and the issuance of 11,108,500 shares (the “Equity Issuance”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”) as directed by the Sellers. Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement, the shares of Common Stock were valued at approximately $7.49 per share.

 

Effective upon consummation of the Acquisition, (1) the Company acquired, directly or indirectly, all of the equity interests in JBGL and (2) the Company changed its name to Green Brick Partners, Inc. The Acquisition is described in greater detail in the Company’s definitive proxy statement dated September 18, 2014 (the “Definitive Proxy Statement”), in the sections entitled “The Transactions” beginning on page 92, “The Transaction Agreement” beginning on page 110, “The Voting Agreement” beginning on page 123 and “Financing of the Transactions” beginning on page 124, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the Acquisition in the Definitive Proxy Statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Transaction Agreement, a copy of which was filed as Annex A to the Definitive Proxy Statement.

 

The cash portion of the purchase price was funded from the proceeds of the $70 million rights offering conducted by the Company (the $70 million includes proceeds from purchases of shares of Common Stock by Greenlight Capital, Inc. and its affiliates (“Greenlight”) and Third Point LLC and its affiliates (“Third Point”)) and $150 million of debt financing provided by Greenlight pursuant to the Loan Agreement. The information regarding the debt financing provided to the Company by Greenlight pursuant to the Loan Agreement set forth under Item 2.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The $70 million rights offering included a registered offering by the Company of transferable rights to the public holders of its Common Stock, as of September 15, 2014 (the “Rights Offering”) to purchase additional shares of Common Stock. Each right permitted the holder to purchase, at a rights price equal to $5.00 per share of Common Stock, 2.2445 shares of Common Stock.  4,843,384 shares of Common Stock were purchased in the public Rights Offering for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $24.2 million.

 

Also, pursuant to the terms of the voting agreement, dated as June 10, 2014, between Greenlight and the Company, Greenlight agreed to exchange all of its membership interests in BioFuel Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company (the “LLC Units”), it holds for shares of Common Stock on the closing date of the Acquisition, (the “LLC Unit Exchange”). In connection with the LLC Unit Exchange, the Company issued 780,958 shares of Common Stock to certain affiliates of Greenlight and an equivalent number of LLC Units and shares of Class B common stock of the Company were cancelled.

 

 
 

 

In addition to the Rights Offering, Greenlight and Third Point participated in a private rights offering to purchase additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to commitment letters (the “Private Rights Offering”).

 

Pursuant to its commitment letter (the “Greenlight Commitment Agreement”), Greenlight agreed to participate in the Private Rights Offering for its full basic subscription privilege in the Rights Offering and to purchase substantially simultaneously with the consummation of the Acquisition the same number of shares of Common Stock it would have purchased pursuant to the Rights Offering had it exchanged all of its LLC Units for shares of Common Stock on or prior to the record date for the Rights Offering and exercised all of the basic subscription rights it received as a holder of such Common Stock pursuant to the Private Rights Offering (the “Additional Equity Investment”). The price per share paid by Greenlight pursuant to the Greenlight Commitment Agreement was $5.00 per share, which is equal to the price paid by the other holders in the Rights Offering. Greenlight did not receive compensation for its commitment to participate in the Private Rights Offering or the Additional Equity Investment. Pursuant to the Greenlight Commitment Agreement, Greenlight purchased 4,957,618 shares of Common Stock for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $24.8 million.

 

Pursuant to its commitment letter (the “Third Point Commitment Agreement”), Third Point agreed to participate in the Private Rights Offering for its full basic subscription privilege in the Rights Offering and to exercise its over-subscription privilege in full and to purchase, substantially simultaneously with the consummation of the Rights Offering to the public, all of the available shares not otherwise sold in the Rights Offering following the exercise of all other holders’ basic subscription privileges up to such amount (the “Third Point Ownership Threshold”) that Third Point’s aggregate ownership of outstanding Common Stock, after giving effect to the Equity Issuance, the Rights Offering, the LLC Unit Exchange and the share purchases pursuant to the Greenlight Commitment Agreement, equals approximately 16.7%, which was Third Point’s ownership level of the aggregate outstanding Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as of September 15, 2014. Third Point received priority allocation with respect to both its over-subscription privilege and its backstop commitment, up to the Third Point Ownership Threshold. In connection with the transactions, Third Point did not acquire, either pursuant to the Rights Offering or its backstop commitment, shares of Common Stock in excess of the Third Point Ownership Threshold. The price per share paid by Third Point pursuant to the Third Point Commitment Agreement was $5.00 per share, which is equal to the price paid by the other holders in the Rights Offering. Third Point did not receive compensation for its commitment to participate in the Private Rights Offering or its backstop commitment. Pursuant to the Third Point Commitment Agreement, Third Point purchased 4,198,998 shares of Common Stock for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $21.0 million.

 

On October 27, 2014, in connection with the Transaction Agreement, the Company entered into the Seller Registration Rights Agreement with each of the Sellers pursuant to which the Company agreed, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, to effect the registration of any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by a Seller, its affiliates from time to time and certain of their transferees; provided that the Company will not be obligated to effect the registration of any shares of Common Stock held by a Seller, its affiliates and certain of their transferees that (1) have been sold pursuant to an effective registration statement; (2) have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (or a successor rule); or (3) have become eligible for immediate sale under Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or a successor rule) without any time or volume limitations thereunder. The Sellers, acting either individually or together, may issue to the Company a written request that the Company effect the registration of all or any portion of a Seller’s Common Stock (a “Demand Registration”). During every 12-month period, the Sellers will be entitled to two Demand Registrations. In certain circumstances, the Company may postpone effecting a Demand Registration for up to 60 days. In addition, the Sellers will have unlimited “piggyback” registration rights, subject to customary cutbacks, and the ability to require that, after the Company becomes eligible to file a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Form S-3, the Company file such a shelf registration statement and keep it continuously effective until all of the Sellers’ Common Stock is sold. The Company will pay all expenses of the registered offerings pursuant to the Sellers’ exercise of their registration rights (other than underwriting discounts and commissions with respect to underwritten offerings). The Company’s obligations to register the Sellers’ Common Stock will terminate when the Sellers are able to sell all of their Common Stock without limitation under Rule 144 of the Securities Act. The Seller Registration Rights Agreement contains customary indemnification provisions.

 

 
 

 

On October 27, 2014, in connection with the Third Point Commitment Agreement, the Company entered into the Third Point Registration Rights Agreement with Third Point, pursuant to which the Company agreed, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, to effect the registration of any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Third Point, its affiliates from time to time and certain of its transferees; provided that the Company will not be obligated to effect the registration of any shares of Common Stock held by Third Point, its affiliates and certain of its transferees that (1) have been sold pursuant to an effective registration statement; (2) have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or a successor rule); or (3) have become eligible for immediate sale under Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or a successor rule) without any time or volume limitations thereunder. Third Point will have unlimited “piggyback” registration rights, subject to customary cutbacks. The Company will pay all expenses of the registered offerings pursuant to the exercise of registration rights by Third Point (other than underwriting discounts and commissions with respect to underwritten offerings). The Company’s obligations to register the Common Stock of Third Point will terminate when it is able to sell all of its Common Stock without limitation under Rule 144 of the Securities Act. The Third Point Registration Rights Agreement contains customary indemnification provisions.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Seller Registration Rights Agreement and the Third Point Registration Rights Agreement, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified, in their entirety by, the full text of the Seller Registration Rights Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and the Third Point Registration Rights Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Form 10 Information

 

Business

 

The business of the Company is described in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Business of JBGL” beginning on page 56, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Risk Factors

 

The risks associated with the Company’s business are described in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 22, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Information

 

The financial information of JBGL, JBGL Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the sections entitled “Selected Combined and Consolidated Historical Financial Information of JBGL” beginning on page 22 and “JBGL Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 69, which information is incorporated by reference.

 

Properties

 

The principal executive office of the Company is located at 3131 Harvard Ave., Suite 104, Dallas, Texas 75205. The properties of the Company are described in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Business of JBGL” under the headings “Description of Completed Projects and Communities under Development” and “Owned and Controlled Lots” beginning on pages 63 and 65, respectively, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The Definitive Proxy Statement indicated that units owned by Centre Living would be sold prior to the consummation of the Acquisition but the Company continues to own Centre Living as of the date of this Current Report.

 

 
 

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The following tables set forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock as of October 27, 2014, by:

 

·each person who is known by the Company to beneficially own 5% or more of any class of the outstanding shares of Common Stock;
·each member of the Board who beneficially owns any class of shares of the Common Stock;
·each of the Company’s named executive officers; and
·all members of the Board and the Company’s executive officers as a group.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the SEC rules and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Unless otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws, to the Company’s knowledge, each stockholder named in the following table possesses sole voting and investment power over the shares listed, except for those jointly owned with that person’s spouse.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, the address for all beneficial owners is c/o Green Brick Partners, Inc., 3131 Harvard Ave., Suite 104, Dallas, Texas 75205. At the close of business on October 27, 2014, there were 31,346,084 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. The percentage of voting shares outstanding was determined based on 31,346,084 shares outstanding on October 27, 2014.

 

Beneficial Owner  Number of Shares of Common Stock   Total Number of Shares Beneficially Owned   Percentage of Common Stock Outstanding 
Greenlight Capital, Inc.
and its affiliates(1)
2 Grand Central
Tower 140
East 45th Street,
24th floor
New York, NY
10017
   15,650,727    15,650,727    49.9%
Third Point Funds(2)
390 Park Avenue,
18th floor
New York, NY
10022
   5,370,369    5,370,369    17.1%
James R. Brickman   1,479,506    1,666,442    5.3%
John Jason Corley            
Jed Dolson            
Jason Hibbs            
Scott H. Pearce   95,780    95,780    * 
Kelly G. Maguire   22,688    22,688    * 
Harry Brandler            
Kathleen Olson            
Richard Press            
John R. Farris            
David Einhorn(3)   8,922    8,922    * 
Elizabeth Blake   21,315    21,315    * 
All Directors and
Executive Officers as a
group, 10 persons(4)
   17,151,548    17,338,484    55.3%

 

* less than 1%

 

(1)Greenlight Capital, Inc. is the investment manager for Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P., Greenlight Capital, L.P. and Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, and as such has voting and dispositive power over 3,722,010 shares of Common Stock held by Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P., 837,136 shares of Common Stock held by Greenlight Capital, L.P., and 6,590,355 shares of Common Stock held by Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners. DME Advisors, LP (“DME Advisors”) is the investment manager for Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., and as such has voting and dispositive power over 2,248,337 shares of Common Stock held by Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. DME Capital Management, LP (“DME Management”) is the investment manager for Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, and Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., and as such has voting and dispositive power over 1,129,356 shares of Common Stock held by Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP and 1,114,611 shares of Common Stock held by Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd. DME Advisors GP, LLC (“DME GP”) is the general partner of DME Advisors and DME Management, and as such has voting and dispositive power over 4,492,304 shares of Common Stock. David Einhorn, one of our directors, is the principal of Greenlight Capital, Inc., DME Advisors, DME Management and DME GP, and as such has voting and dispositive power over 15,650,727 shares of Common Stock held by these affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. Mr. Einhorn disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. Also includes 8,922 shares held by Mr. Einhorn.
(2)Includes 5,242,124 shares held of record by Third Point Offshore Master Fund LP, Third Point Partners LP, Third Point Partners Qualified LP, Third Point Ultra Master Fund LP and Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd., which are investment funds managed by Third Point LLC, and 128,245 shares held by Daniel S. Loeb, who has the power to vote and dispose of the shares held by him and the investment funds managed by Third Point LLC.
(3)See note 1.
(4)Includes shares held by Greenlight Capital, Inc. and its affiliates described in Note 1, which are controlled by one of our directors, David Einhorn.

 

 
 

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The directors and executive officers of the Company immediately after the consummation of the Acquisition are described in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the sections entitled “Proposal 10 — Directors Post Consummation of the Transactions” and “Management — Executive Officers Post Consummation of the Transactions” beginning on pages 172 and 175, respectively, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Information regarding the reconstitution of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and its committees, effective as of October 27, 2014 set forth under Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Executive Compensation

 

The compensation of the Company’s directors and executive officers after the completion of the Acquisition is described in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Executive Compensation Information — JBGL Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 183, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The description of director and executive compensation prior to the completion of the Acquisition is described in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the sections entitled “Executive and Director Compensation Arrangements of the Company for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013” and “2014 Compensation Activity” beginning on pages 177 and 183 respectively, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Effective October 27, 2014, the Board made certain changes to director and executive officer compensation, which is discussed below under Item 5.02 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The description of Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” beginning on page 167 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 
 

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

The description of certain relationships and related transaction of the Company contained in the sections of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled “Interests of the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Transactions” beginning on page 156, “Corporate Governance — Relationships with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons” beginning on page 169, “Corporate Governance — JBGL” beginning on page 170, and Note 3, “Related Party Transactions” to JBGL’s historical financial statements beginning on page FP-13, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The description of the legal proceedings of the Company in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Business of JBGL — Legal Proceedings” beginning on page 68.

 

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Market Information

 

The Company completed an initial public offering of shares of its Common Stock in June 2007. The Common Stock trades on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “GRBK” and previously traded under the symbol “BIOF” through October 27, 2014. The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices for the Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq Capital Market for the quarterly periods indicated. These prices do not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions.

 

Year ended, December 31, 2012  High   Low 
First Quarter  $17.00   $12.00 
Second Quarter  $12.60   $3.56 
Third Quarter  $10.21   $2.24 
Fourth Quarter  $7.31   $3.68 

 

Year ended, December 31, 2013  High   Low 
First Quarter  $6.73   $4.15 
Second Quarter  $5.15   $3.08 
Third Quarter  $4.23   $3.35 
Fourth Quarter  $3.65   $1.45 

 

Year ended, December 31, 2014  High   Low 
First Quarter  $7.30   $1.75 
Second Quarter  $8.79   $5.17 
Third Quarter  $13.11   $5.90 
Fourth Quarter (through October 27, 2014)  $8.06   $5.01 

  

On March 27, 2014, which was the last trading day before the Company announced its receipt of the proposal regarding the Acquisition, the closing price of the Common Stock was $2.96. On June 10, 2014, which was the last trading day before the Company announced its entrance into the Transaction Agreement, the closing price of the Common Stock was $5.78. On October 27, 2014, the closing price of the Common Stock was $7.28.

 

On October 27, 2014, there were approximately 37 stockholders of record of the Common Stock. We believe the number of beneficial owners of the Common Stock is substantially greater than the number of record holders because a large portion of our outstanding Common Stock is held of record in broker “street names” for the benefit of individual investors. As of October 27, 2014, there were 31,346,084 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

Dividend Policy

 

The Company has not paid any dividends since its inception and does not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The Company currently anticipates that it will retain all of its available cash for general corporate purposes. Payment of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of the Board and will depend on many factors, including general economic and business conditions, strategic plans, financial results and condition, legal requirements and other factors as the Board deems relevant.

 

 
 

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

Information regarding recent sales of unregistered securities set forth under Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Description of Registrant’s Securities

 

The description of the Common Stock, preferred stock, Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, 382 Rights Agreement and certain provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Description of Biofuel Energy Corp. Capital Stock” beginning on page 143 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

The description of the Company’s indemnification of directors and officers in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Interests of the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Transactions — Indemnification and Exculpation of Directors and Officers” beginning on page 159 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Information concerning the financial statements and supplementary data of the Company set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financing Disclosure

 

Information concerning a change in the Company’s independent public registered public accounting firm set forth under Item 4.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Information concerning the financial information of the Company set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.03.Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

On October 27, 2014, in connection with the Acquisition, the Company entered into the Loan Agreement, the Guaranty and the Pledge and Security Agreement. The Loan Agreement provides for a five-year term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150 million to fund, in part, the Acquisition. Certain subsidiaries of the Company will guarantee obligations under the facility pursuant to the Guaranty. On October 27, 2014, the Company borrowed $150 million under the facility.

 

Interest and Repayments

 

Amounts drawn under the facility will bear interest at 9.0% per annum from October 27, 2014 through the first anniversary thereof and 10.0% per annum thereafter, and the Company will have a one-time right to elect to pay up to four consecutive quarters’ interest in kind. The facility will have no amortization but is subject to mandatory prepayment with 100% of the net cash proceeds received from the incurrence of certain debt by the Company or the issuance of any equity securities. Voluntary prepayments of the facility will be permitted at any time. All prepayments made prior to October 27, 2016 will be subject to a 1.0% prepayment premium.

 

 
 

 

Collateral

 

Pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, the facility will be secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets and substantially all of the assets, subject to certain exceptions, of each of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

Covenants

 

The facility will be subject to customary affirmative covenants (subject to certain customary exceptions), including affirmative covenants relating to: reporting requirements, preservation of existence, payment of liabilities, including taxes, maintenance of insurance, visitation rights, keeping of records and books of accounts, compliance with laws, use of proceeds, further assurance, additional security, environmental compliance and accounting and financial management.

 

The facility will also be subject to customary negative covenants (subject to certain customary exceptions), including negative covenants relating to: limits on incurrence of indebtedness, limits on incurrence of liens, limits on investments, restrictions on dividends and related distributions, limits on liquidations, mergers and acquisitions, limits on disposition of assets or subsidiaries, limits on transactions with affiliates, limits on change in business, limits on change of fiscal year, limits on issuance of stock by subsidiaries, limits on amendments to organizational documents, limits on entering into inconsistent agreements, limits on foreign subsidiaries and limits on entering into hedging arrangements.

 

In addition, the facility requires the Company to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio, tested quarterly, of no more than (a) 0.80 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter in which all or a portion of the interest on the facility for such fiscal quarter is paid in kind in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement for any four quarter period ending on such date or (b) 1.00 to 1.20 as of the last day of any other fiscal quarter for any four quarter period ending on such date.

 

Events of Default

 

Subject to customary and other thresholds and grace periods to be agreed upon, the following events will be an event of default under the facility allowing the lenders to accelerate the Company’s repayment obligations and exercise other remedies under the facility: nonpayment of principal, interest or other amounts; breach of certain covenants; incorrectness of representations and warranties in any material respect; cross default and cross acceleration; bankruptcy and similar events; material judgments; ERISA events; actual or asserted invalidity of guarantees or security interests representing assets that are material to the Company and guarantors; and a change of control of the Company. Upon and during the continuance of any payment or bankruptcy event of default, overdue principal, interest, fees and other overdue amounts will bear interest at the applicable interest rate plus 2.0% per annum.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Loan Agreement, the Guaranty and the Pledge and Security Agreement, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified, in their entirety by, the full text of the Loan Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.7, the Guaranty, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.8, and the Pledge and Security Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.9, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

Information regarding the Equity Issuance, the LLC Unit Exchange, and the Private Rights Offering set forth under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference. The issuance of securities related to the Equity Issuance, the LLC Unit Exchange, and the Private Rights Offering, were made in reliance upon an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act, by reason of Section 4(2) thereof or other appropriate exemptions, to persons who are “accredited investors”, as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

 
 

 

The descriptions of the Seller Registration Rights Agreement and the Third Point Registration Rights Agreement set forth under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.03.Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

Information concerning amendments to the Company’s certificate of incorporation set forth under Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 4.01.Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of JBGL

 

On June 12, 2014, JBGL dismissed Huselton, Morgan & Maultsby, P.C. (“Huselton”) as their independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Huselton’s reports on JBGL’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. The board of directors or other relevant governing body of each of the entities comprising JBGL approved the dismissal of Huselton as their independent registered public accounting firm. During JBGL’s two most recent fiscal years and through June 12, 2014, there have been no disagreements with Huselton on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement(s), if not resolved to the satisfaction of Huselton, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports.

 

A copy of the disclosure made herein by the Company has been provided to Huselton prior to the date of filing of this Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC, and the auditors have been requested to furnish the Company with a copy of a letter addressed to the SEC stating that it agrees with the statements made by the Company in this Item 4.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K. A copy of this letter is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

On June 17, 2014, the board of directors or other relevant governing body of each of the entities comprising JBGL ratified and approved JBGL’s engagement of Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as their independent registered public accounting firm.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and through June 17, 2014, neither JBGL nor anyone on its behalf consulted Grant Thornton regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specific completed or contemplated transaction, (ii) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the JBGL’s financial statements, or (iii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement or event identified in response to Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation S-K (there being none).

 

Item 5.01.Changes in Control of Registrant.

 

Effective as of October 27, 2014, in accordance with the Transaction Agreement and pursuant to the Acquisition, a change of control of the Company occurred, whereby a majority of the members of the Board were replaced and new executive officers were elected, thereby assuming control of the Company. The information set forth in Items 2.01 and 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 
 

 

Item 5.02.Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

(b) In connection with the consummation of the Acquisition on October 27, 2014, Scott H. Pearce resigned from his positions as President and Chief Executive Officer, Kelly G. Maguire resigned from his positions as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mark L. Zoeller resigned from his positions as Vice President — General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, and each of Mark W. Wong, Scott H. Pearce, Richard I. Jaffe, John D. March, and Ernest J. Sampias resigned as directors of the Company.

 

(c) In connection with the consummation of the Acquisition on October 27, 2014, the following individuals were elected executive officers of the Company:

 

Name   Position
James R. Brickman   Chief Executive Officer and Director
Jason R. Hibbs   Chief Financial Officer
John Jason Corley   Chief Operating Officer of JBGL Builder Finance LLC
Jed Dolson   Head of Land Acquisition and Development

 

Information regarding each of these executive officers contained in the section of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled “Management — Executive Officers Post Consummation of the Transactions” beginning on page 175 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The description of certain relationships and related transactions of the Company contained in the sections of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled “Corporate Governance — JBGL” beginning on page 170, and Note 3, “Related Party Transactions” to JBGL’s historical financial statements beginning on page FP-13 are incorporated herein by reference.

 

In connection with the consummation of the Acquisition on October 27, 2014, the Company entered into employment agreements (the “Employment Agreements”) with each of Messrs. Brickman, Corley and Dolson. The descriptions of such employment agreements contained in the section of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled “Executive Compensation Information — JBGL Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Employment Agreements” beginning on page 187, is incorporated herein by reference. The summary of each of the employment agreements in Definitive Proxy Statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such employment agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.15, 10.17 and 10.18 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

In connection with the consummation of the Acquisition on October 27, 2014, the Company also entered into a stock option agreement with Mr. Brickman (the “Award Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Brickman received a one-time award of stock options to purchase 500,000 shares of Common Stock. The stock option has a per share exercise price equal to $7.4861, which is based on the weighted average price of the Company’s Common Stock for the five trading days immediately prior to the date of grant. Subject to Mr. Brickman’s continued employment, the stock option will vest and become exercisable in five substantially equal installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the date of grant. In the event that Mr. Brickman’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, any unvested portion of the stock option will vest and become exercisable as of the date of such termination. The stock option grant was made as an inducement material to Mr. Brickman entering into employment with the Company in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The summary of the Award Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.16 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

On October 30, 2014, Mr. Hibbs resigned as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective that day. It is anticipated that Mr. Hibbs will remain as a consultant to the Company. Effective October 31, 2014, Mr. Corley resumed his prior responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer of the Company on an interim basis.

 

 
 

 

(d) Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement and in connection with the consummation of the Acquisition on October 27, 2014, James R. Brickman, Harry Brandler, Kathleen Olsen, Richard Press and John R. Farris were appointed as directors of the Company, to serve together with the Company’s continuing directors Elizabeth K. Blake and David Einhorn, who was appointed Chairman of the Board. Effective as of the date of the consummation of the Acquisition, the directors appointed to each of the committees are as follows:

 

Audit Committee

Kathleen Olsen, John R. Farris and Richard Press

 

Compensation Committee

Richard Press, Kathleen Olsen and Elizabeth K. Blake

 

Governance and Nominating Committee

Elizabeth K. Blake, Kathleen Olsen and John R. Farris

 

The description of certain relationships and related transactions of the Company contained in the sections of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled “Corporate Governance — JBGL” beginning on page 170, and Note 3, “Related Party Transactions” to JBGL’s historical financial statements beginning on page FP-13 are incorporated herein by reference.

 

(e) Information concerning the Employment Agreements and the Award Agreement set forth under Item 5.02(c) of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

  

Item 5.03.Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

Following approval by the Company’s stockholder at the annual meeting of stockholders held October 17, 2014 and the consummation of the Acquisition, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that amends and restates it certificate of incorporation as follows:

 

·an increase to the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, from 10,000,000 shares to 100,000,000 share;

 

·the name of the Company was changed from “BioFuel Energy Corp.” to “Green Brick Partners, Inc.”;

 

·the elimination of Article V, Sections 4.03(b) and 4.06 of Article IV and all other provisions in the certificate of incorporation relating to the LLC Units and the Class B Common Stock, including certain non-substantive conforming changes; and

 

·the addition of a new Article V to impose restrictions on transfers and ownership of Common Stock in order to preserve the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards and other tax benefits.

 

The foregoing amendments to the Company’s certificate of incorporation are described in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the sections entitled “Proposal 4 — Approval of Amendment of the Charter to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock” beginning on page 138, “Proposal 5 — Approval of Amendment of the Charter to Change the Name of the Company to “Green Brick Partners, Inc.”” beginning on page 140, “Proposal 6 — Approval of Amendment of the Charter to Eliminate References to LLC Units and Class B Common Stock” beginning on page 141, and “Proposal 7 — Approval of the Charter to Preserve Certain Tax Benefits” beginning on page 150, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which information is incorporated by reference.

 

 
 

 

Item 5.06.Change in Shell Company Status.

 

The material terms of the Acquisition are described in the Definitive Proxy in the sections entitled “The Transactions” beginning on page 92, “The Transaction Agreement” beginning on page 110, “The Voting Agreement” beginning on page 123 and “Financing of the Transactions” beginning on page 127, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the Acquisition in the Definitive Proxy Statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Transaction Agreement, a copy of which was filed as Annex A to the Definitive Proxy Statement.

 

Item 8.01.Other Events.

 

A copy of the Company’s press release, dated October 27, 2014, is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a)Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired

 

The combined and consolidated financial statements of JBGL included in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements of JBGL” beginning on page FP-1 are incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b)Pro Forma Financial Information

 

The unaudited pro forma financial information included in the Definitive Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information” beginning on page 49 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
   
2.1 Transaction Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2014, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., JBGL Capital L.P., JBGL Exchange (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Willow Crest (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Hawthorne (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Inwood (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Chateau (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Castle Pines (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Lakeside (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Mustang (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Kittyhawk (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Builder Finance (Offshore), LLC, Greenlight Onshore Investments, LLC, JBGL Exchange, LLC, JBGL Willow Crest, LLC, JBGL Hawthorne, LLC, JBGL Inwood, LLC, JBGL Chateau, LLC, JBGL Castle Pines, LP, JBGL Castle Pines Management, LLC, JBGL Lakeside, LLC, JBGL Mustang, LLC, JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC, JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Brickman Member Joint Venture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 13, 2014).#
   
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
   
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of BioFuel Energy Corp, dated as of March 20, 2009, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed March 23, 2009).

 

 
 

 

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
   
4.1 Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
   
4.2 Certificate of Designation of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock of BioFuel Energy Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 28, 2014).
   
4.3 Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2014, between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., as Rights Agent, which includes the Form of Certification of Designation of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock as Exhibit A, the Form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock as Exhibit C (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 28, 2014).
   
4.4 Form of Rights Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement Amendment No. 1 on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on August 21, 2014).
   
10.1 Letter Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2014, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital, L.P., Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP and Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 15, 2014).
   
10.2 Letter Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2014, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., Third Point Partners L.P., Third Point Partners Qualified L.P., Third Point Offshore Master Fund L.P., Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P. and Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 15, 2014).
   
10.3 Voting Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2014, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital, L.P., Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP and Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 13, 2014).
   
10.4 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as October 27, 2014, by and among the Company and JBGL Exchange (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Willow Crest (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Hawthorne (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Inwood (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Chateau (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Castle Pines (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Lakeside (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Mustang (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Kittyhawk (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Builder Finance (Offshore), LLC, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., Scott L. Roberts, L. Loraine Brickman Revocable Trust, Roger E. Brickman GST Marital Trust, James R. Brickman, Blake Brickman, Jennifer Brickman Roberts, Trevor Brickman and Natalie Brickman.

 

 
 

 

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
   
10.5 Backstop Registration Rights Agreement, dated as October 27, 2014, between the Company and Third Point Partners L.P., Third Point Partners Qualified L.P., Third Point Offshore Master Fund L.P., Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P. and Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd.
   
10.6 Commitment Letter, dated as of June 10, 2014, between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Greenlight Capital, Inc., on behalf of its affiliated funds and managed accounts (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 13, 2014).
   
10.7 Loan Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, by and among the Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC.
   
10.8 Guaranty, dated as of October 27, 2014, by and among, the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC.
   
10.9 Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, by and among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC.
   
10.10 Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of The Providence Group of Georgia, L.L.C., dated as of July 1, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.11 Amended and Restated Company Agreement of CB JENI Homes DFW LLC, dated as April 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.12 Company Agreement of Southgate Homes DFW LLC, dated as of January 29, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.13 Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of JBGL A&A, LLC, dated November 15, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.14 Green Brick Partners, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex F to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed on September 18, 2014).  
   
10.15 Employment Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, between the Company and James R. Brickman.
   
10.16 Green Brick Partners, Inc. Stock Option Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, between the Company and James R. Brickman.

 

 
 

 

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
   
10.17 Employment Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, between the Company and John Jason Corley.
   
10.18 Employment Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, between the Company and Jed Dolson.
   
10.19 Promissory Note, dated as of October 13, 2011, by JBGL Builder Finance LLC for the benefit of Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014) .
   
10.20 Promissory Note, dated October 13, 2012, by JBGL Builder Finance LLC for the benefit of Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.21 Second Renewal, Extension and Modification of Promissory Note and Second Amendment to Business Loan Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2013, by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.22 Commercial Security Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2011, by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.23 Commercial Security Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2012 by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.24 Business Loan Agreement (Asset Based), dated as of October 13, 2011, by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.25 Business Loan Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2012, by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.26 Cross-Pledge Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2013, between Inwood National Bank, JBGL Builder Finance LLC and JBGL Model Fund 1, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.27 Loan Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2013, between PlainsCapital Bank and JBGL Capital, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).

 

 
 

 

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
   
10.28 Promissory Note, dated as of December 13, 2013, by JBGL Capital, LP for the benefit of PlainsCapital Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.29 Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2013, by JBGL Castle Pines, LP, JBGL Chateau, LLC, JBGL Exchange LLC, JBGL Hawthorne, LLC, JBGL Inwood LLC, JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC, JBGL Mustang LLC and JBGL Willow Crest LLC, for the benefit of Plains Capital Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
16.1 Letter from Huselton, Morgan & Maultsby, P.C. dated October 31, 2014.
   
21.1

List of Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).

   
99.1 The Company’s press release dated October 27 2014.

 

#The Company hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to such agreement to the SEC upon request.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  Green Brick Partners, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ James R. Brickman
  Name: James R. Brickman
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: October 31, 2014

 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
   
2.1 Transaction Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2014, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., JBGL Capital L.P., JBGL Exchange (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Willow Crest (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Hawthorne (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Inwood (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Chateau (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Castle Pines (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Lakeside (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Mustang (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Kittyhawk (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Builder Finance (Offshore), LLC, Greenlight Onshore Investments, LLC, JBGL Exchange, LLC, JBGL Willow Crest, LLC, JBGL Hawthorne, LLC, JBGL Inwood, LLC, JBGL Chateau, LLC, JBGL Castle Pines, LP, JBGL Castle Pines Management, LLC, JBGL Lakeside, LLC, JBGL Mustang, LLC, JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC, JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Brickman Member Joint Venture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 13, 2014).#
   
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
   
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of BioFuel Energy Corp, dated as of March 20, 2009, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed March 23, 2009).
   
4.1 Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
   
4.2 Certificate of Designation of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock of BioFuel Energy Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 28, 2014).
   
4.3 Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2014, between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., as Rights Agent, which includes the Form of Certification of Designation of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock as Exhibit A, the Form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock as Exhibit C (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 28, 2014).
   
4.4 Form of Rights Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement Amendment No. 1 on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on August 21, 2014).
   
10.1 Letter Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2014, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital, L.P., Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP and Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 15, 2014).
   
10.2 Letter Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2014, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., Third Point Partners L.P., Third Point Partners Qualified L.P., Third Point Offshore Master Fund L.P., Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P. and Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 15, 2014).

 

 
 

 

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
   
10.3 Voting Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2014, by and among BioFuel Energy Corp., Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Capital, L.P., Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP and Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 13, 2014).
   
10.4 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as October 27, 2014, by and among the Company and JBGL Exchange (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Willow Crest (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Hawthorne (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Inwood (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Chateau (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Castle Pines (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Lakeside (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Mustang (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Kittyhawk (Offshore), LLC, JBGL Builder Finance (Offshore), LLC, Greenlight Capital Qualified, LP, Greenlight Capital, LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Partners, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP, Greenlight Capital Offshore Master (Gold), Ltd., Scott L. Roberts, L. Loraine Brickman Revocable Trust, Roger E. Brickman GST Marital Trust, James R. Brickman, Blake Brickman, Jennifer Brickman Roberts, Trevor Brickman and Natalie Brickman.
   
10.5 Backstop Registration Rights Agreement, dated as October 27, 2014, between the Company and Third Point Partners L.P., Third Point Partners Qualified L.P., Third Point Offshore Master Fund L.P., Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P. and Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd.
   
10.6 Commitment Letter, dated as of June 10, 2014, between BioFuel Energy Corp. and Greenlight Capital, Inc., on behalf of its affiliated funds and managed accounts (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 13, 2014).
   
10.7 Loan Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, by and among the Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC.
   
10.8 Guaranty, dated as of October 27, 2014, by and among, the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC.
   
10.9 Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, by and among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party thereto and Greenlight APE, LLC.
   
10.10 Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of The Providence Group of Georgia, L.L.C., dated as of July 1, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.11 Amended and Restated Company Agreement of CB JENI Homes DFW LLC, dated as April 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).

 

 
 

 

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
   
10.12 Company Agreement of Southgate Homes DFW LLC, dated as of January 29, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.13 Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of JBGL A&A, LLC, dated November 15, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.14 Green Brick Partners, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex F to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed on September 18, 2014).  
   
10.15 Employment Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, between the Company and James R. Brickman.
   
10.16 Green Brick Partners, Inc. Stock Option Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, between the Company and James R. Brickman.
   
10.17 Employment Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, between the Company and John Jason Corley.
   
10.18 Employment Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014, between the Company and Jed Dolson.
   
10.19 Promissory Note, dated as of October 13, 2011, by JBGL Builder Finance LLC for the benefit of Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014) .
   
10.20 Promissory Note, dated October 13, 2012, by JBGL Builder Finance LLC for the benefit of Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.21 Second Renewal, Extension and Modification of Promissory Note and Second Amendment to Business Loan Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2013, by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.22 Commercial Security Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2011, by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.23 Commercial Security Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2012 by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).

 

 
 

 

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
   
10.24 Business Loan Agreement (Asset Based), dated as of October 13, 2011, by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.25 Business Loan Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2012, by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Inwood National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.26 Cross-Pledge Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2013, between Inwood National Bank, JBGL Builder Finance LLC and JBGL Model Fund 1, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.27 Loan Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2013, between PlainsCapital Bank and JBGL Capital, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.28 Promissory Note, dated as of December 13, 2013, by JBGL Capital, LP for the benefit of PlainsCapital Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
10.29 Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2013, by JBGL Castle Pines, LP, JBGL Chateau, LLC, JBGL Exchange LLC, JBGL Hawthorne, LLC, JBGL Inwood LLC, JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC, JBGL Mustang LLC and JBGL Willow Crest LLC, for the benefit of Plains Capital Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).
   
16.1 Letter from Huselton, Morgan & Maultsby, P.C. dated October 31, 2014.
   
21.1

List of Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-197446) filed on July 16, 2014).

   
99.1 The Company’s press release dated October 27 2014.

 

#The Company hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to such agreement to the SEC upon request.

 

 

 



 

Exhibit 3.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

BIOFUEL ENERGY CORP.

 

The name of the corporation is BioFuel Energy Corp. (hereinafter the “Corporation”). The Corporation filed its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 11, 2006 under the name of “Greenlight BFE Holdings, Inc.” The Corporation filed: (a) an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on June 14, 2007; (b) an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on February 2, 2011; (c) a Certificate of Designations on February 3, 2011; (d) a Certificate of Amendment on June 14, 2012; and (e) a Certificate of Designation on March 27, 2014 (as amended, the “Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”). This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which both amends and restates the provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and approved by the stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

Article I

 

The name of this corporation is Green Brick Partners, Inc.

 

Article II

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

 

Article III

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

 

Article IV

 

SECTION 4.01. Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 105,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), and (b) 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”). The number of authorized shares of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), and no vote of the holders of any of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor.

 

 
 

 

SECTION 4.02. Undesignated Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions, to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for series of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, and the voting powers (if any) of the shares of such series, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights or privileges, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series. The voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and privileges of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.

 

SECTION 4.03. Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock. Pursuant to the authority conferred on the Board by Article IV of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board created a series of 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock designated as Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock by filing the Certificate of Designation of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 27, 2014. The voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, continue in effect and are set forth on Annex I hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 4.04. Common Stock. Each holder of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote and shall vote at all times, except as otherwise required by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law; provided, however, that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall have no voting power with respect to, and shall not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.

 

SECTION 4.05. Dividends. Dividends may be declared and paid on the Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the Board in its discretion shall determine and may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock.

 

SECTION 4.06. Dissolution, Liquidation or Winding Up. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and of the preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled, the holders of all outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by each such stockholder.

 

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Article V

 

SECTION 5.01. Section 382 Transfer Restrictions.

 

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this Article V:

 

(A)         Affiliate” and “Associate”, when used with reference to any Person, shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date hereof, and to the extent not included within the foregoing, shall also include, with respect to any Person, any other Person whose Corporation Securities would be deemed to be constructively owned by such first Person, owned by a single “entity” as defined in Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the Treasury Regulations, or otherwise aggregated with shares owned by such first Person, pursuant to the provisions of the Code, or any successor or replacement provision, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(B)         Agent” shall mean an agent designated by the Board.

 

(C)         Business Day” shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

(D)         Close of Business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on such date; provided, however, that, if such date is not a Business Day, “Close of Business” shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

(E)         Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(F)         Corporation Securities” shall mean (i) shares of Common Stock, (ii) shares of Preferred Stock (other than preferred stock described in Section 1504(a)(4) of the Code or treated as so described pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.382–2(a)(3)(i)), (iii) warrants, rights or options (including options within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-2T(h)(4)(v)) to purchase stock of the Corporation, and (iv) any other interest that would be treated as “stock” of the Corporation pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-2T(f)(18).

 

(G)         Excess Securities” shall mean the Corporation Securities which are the subject of the Prohibited Transfer.

 

(H)         Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on the date in question, unless otherwise specifically provided.

 

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(I)         Greenlight Commitment Letter” shall mean the Commitment Letter, dated July 14, 2014, by and among the Corporation and certain Affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc.

 

(J)         Percentage Stock Ownership” shall mean the percentage stock ownership interest in the Corporation of any Person for purposes of Section 382 of the Code as determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.382-2T(g), (h), (j) and (k) and 1.382-4; provided, that for the sole purpose of determining the Percentage Stock Ownership of any entity (and not for the purpose of determining the Percentage Stock Ownership of any other Person), Corporation Securities held by such entity shall not be treated as no longer owned by such entity pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-2T(h)(2)(i)(A).

 

(K)         Person” shall mean an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity, or a group of Persons making a “coordinated acquisition” of shares or otherwise treated as an entity within the meaning of Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the Treasury Regulations, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such individual or entity.

 

(L)         Prohibited Distributions” shall mean any dividends or other distributions that were paid by the Corporation and received by a Purported Transferee with respect to the Excess Securities.

 

(M)        Prohibited Transfer” shall mean any purported Transfer of Corporation Securities to the extent that such a Transfer is prohibited and/or void under this Article V.

 

(N)         Restriction Release Date” shall mean the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on the effective date of the repeal of Section 382 or any successor statute if the Board determines that this Article V is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of Tax Benefits and (ii) the Close of Business on the first day of a taxable year of the Corporation with respect to which the Board determines that no Tax Benefits may be carried forward.

 

(O)         Subsidiary” of another Person shall mean a Person at least a majority of the total outstanding voting power (being the power under ordinary circumstances (and not merely upon the happening of a contingency) to vote in the election of directors of such Person (if such Person is a corporation) or to participate in the management and control of such Person (if such Person is not a corporation)) of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such other Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such other Person or by such other Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such other Person.

 

(P)         Substantial Stockholder shall mean a Person who beneficially owns, alone or together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, a Percentage Stock Ownership of 4.99% or more.

 

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(Q)         Tax Benefits” shall mean the net operating loss carryovers, capital loss carryovers, general business credit carryovers, alternative minimum tax credit carryovers, foreign tax credit carryovers, research and development credit carryovers and any loss or deduction attributable to a “net unrealized built-in loss” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(R)         Third Point Commitment Letter” shall mean the Commitment Letter, dated July 14, 2014, by and among the Corporation and certain Affiliates of Third Point LLC.

 

(S)         Transaction Agreement” shall mean the Transaction Agreement, dated June 10, 2014, by and among the Corporation, the companies listed on Schedule I thereto and the sellers listed on Schedule II thereto.

 

(T)         Transfer” shall mean, with respect to Corporation Securities, the acquisition or disposition, directly or indirectly, of ownership of Corporation Securities by any means, including, without limitation, (i) the creation or grant of any pledge (or other security interest), right or option with respect to Corporation Securities, including, without limitation, an option within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-4(d)(8); (ii) the exercise of any pledge, right or option described in clause (i); (iii) any sale, assignment, conveyance or other disposition of Corporation Securities; or (iv) any other transaction treated under the applicable rules under Section 382 of the Code as a direct or indirect acquisition or disposition of Corporation Securities (including the acquisition of an ownership interest in a Substantial Stockholder).

 

(U)         Treasury Regulations” shall mean final, temporary and proposed tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended.

 

(b) Prohibited Transfers. From and after the filing and effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, any attempted Transfer of Corporation Securities prior to the Restriction Release Date, or any attempted Transfer of Corporation Securities pursuant to an agreement entered into prior to the Restriction Release Date, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be prohibited and void ab initio insofar as such attempted Transfer purports to transfer ownership or rights in respect of Corporation Securities to a purported transferee (a “Purported Transferee”) to the extent that, as a result of such Transfer (or any series of Transfers of which such Transfer is a part), either (1) any Person (including any group of Persons) would become a Substantial Stockholder or (2) the Percentage Stock Ownership interest of any Substantial Stockholder would be increased. Nothing in this Article V shall preclude (i) the settlement of any transaction with respect to the Corporation Securities entered into through the facilities of a national securities exchange; provided, however, that the Corporation Securities and parties involved in such transaction shall remain subject to the provisions of this Article V in respect of such transaction or (ii) the consummation of any transaction contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, the Greenlight Commitment Letter or the Third Point Commitment Letter.

 

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(c) Exceptions; Authorized Transfers.

 

(i)          The restrictions set forth in Section 5.01(b) shall not apply to an otherwise Prohibited Transfer if the transferor or the transferee obtains the prior written approval of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof in accordance with Section 5.01(c)(ii) below.

 

(ii)         The restrictions contained in this Article V are for the purposes of reducing the risk that any “ownership change” (as defined in the Code) with respect to the Corporation may limit the Corporation’s ability to utilize its Tax Benefits. In connection therewith, and to provide for effective policing of these provisions, any Person who desires to effect an otherwise Prohibited Transfer (a “Requesting Person”) shall, prior to the date of such transaction for which the Requesting Person seeks authorization (the “Proposed Transaction”), request in writing (a “Request”) that the Board review the Proposed Transaction and authorize or not authorize the Proposed Transaction in accordance with this Section 5.01(c). A Request shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the Corporation’s principal place of business. Such Request shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Corporation when actually received by the Corporation. A Request shall include: (1) the name, address, telephone number and electronic mail address of the Requesting Person; (2) the number and Percentage Stock Ownership of Corporation Securities (by type) then beneficially owned by the Requesting Person; (3) a reasonably detailed description of the Proposed Transaction or Proposed Transactions for which the Requesting Person seeks authorization; and (4) a request that the Board authorize the Proposed Transaction pursuant to this Section 5.01(c). The Board shall endeavor to respond to each Request within twenty Business Days of receiving such Request; provided, however, that the failure of the Board to respond during such twenty Business Day period shall not be deemed to be a consent to, or authorization of, the Proposed Transaction. The Board may authorize a Proposed Transaction unless the Board determines that the Proposed Transaction, considered alone or with other transactions (including, without limitation, past transactions or contemplated transactions), would create a material risk that the Corporation’s Tax Benefits may be jeopardized. Only upon the determination by the Board to authorize a Proposed Transaction shall such Proposed Transaction cease to be a Prohibited Transfer. The Board may impose any conditions that it deems reasonable and appropriate in connection with authorizing any Proposed Transaction. In addition, the Board may require an affidavit or representations from such Requesting Person or opinions of counsel to be rendered by counsel selected by the Requesting Person (and reasonably acceptable to the Board), in each case, as to such matters as the Board may reasonably determine with respect to the preservation of the Tax Benefits. Any Requesting Person who makes a Request to the Board shall reimburse the Corporation, within thirty days of demand therefor, for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Corporation with respect to any Proposed Transaction, including, without limitation, the Corporation’s reasonable costs and expenses incurred in determining whether to authorize the Proposed Transaction, which costs may include, but are not limited to, any expenses of counsel and/or tax advisors engaged by the Board to advise the Board or deliver an opinion thereto. The Board may require, as a condition to its consideration of the Request, that the Requesting Person execute an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Corporation providing for the reimbursement of such costs and expenses. Any authorization of the Board hereunder may be given prospectively or retroactively.

 

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(iii)        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may determine that the restrictions set forth in Section 5.01(b) shall not apply to any particular transaction or transactions, whether or not a request has been made to the Board, including, without limitation, a Request pursuant to this Section 5.01(c), subject to any conditions that it deems reasonable and appropriate in connection therewith. Any determination of the Board hereunder may be made prospectively or retroactively.

 

(iv)        The Board, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, may exercise the authority granted by this Article V through duly authorized officers or agents of the Corporation.

 

(d) Legend; Notation. The Board may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, require that any certificates representing Corporation Securities issued prior to the Restriction Release Date contain a conspicuous legend in substantially the following form, evidencing the restrictions set forth in this Article V:

 

“THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE CORPORATION, AS THE SAME MAY BE AMENDED AND/OR RESTATED FROM TIME TO TIME (THE “CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION”), CONTAINS CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS PROHIBITING THE TRANSFER (AS DEFINED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION) OF CORPORATION SECURITIES (AS DEFINED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION), INCLUDING COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK OF THE CORPORATION, WITHOUT THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF THE BOARD OF THE CORPORATION IF SUCH TRANSFER MAY AFFECT THE PERCENTAGE OF STOCK OF THE CORPORATION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 382 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME AND THE TREASURY REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER) THAT IS TREATED AS OWNED BY A SUBSTANTIAL STOCKHOLDER AS DEFINED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. A COMPLETE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION SHALL BE FURNISHED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS CERTIFICATE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION.”

 

The Corporation shall have the power to make appropriate notations upon its stock transfer records and to instruct any transfer agent, registrar, securities intermediary or depository with respect to the requirements of this Article V for any uncertificated Corporation Securities or Corporation Securities held in an indirect holding system, and the Corporation shall provide notice of the restrictions on transfer and ownership to holders of uncertificated shares in accordance with applicable law.

 

(e) Treatment of Excess Securities.

 

(i)          To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no officer, employee or agent of the Corporation shall record any Prohibited Transfer, and the Purported Transferee shall not be recognized as a stockholder of the Corporation for any purpose whatsoever in respect of the Excess Securities. Until the Excess Securities are acquired by another Person in a Transfer that is not a Prohibited Transfer, the Purported Transferee shall not be entitled with respect to such Excess Securities to any rights of stockholders of the Corporation, including, without limitation, the right to vote such Excess Securities and to receive dividends or distributions, whether liquidating or otherwise, in respect thereof, if any. Once the Excess Securities have been acquired in a Transfer that is not a Prohibited Transfer, the Corporation Securities shall cease to be Excess Securities. For this purpose, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any Transfer of Excess Securities not in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.01(e) shall also be a Prohibited Transfer.

 

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(ii)         If the Board determines that a Transfer of Corporation Securities constitutes a Prohibited Transfer pursuant to Section 5.01(b), then, upon written demand by the Corporation, the Purported Transferee shall transfer or cause to be transferred any certificate or other evidence of ownership of the Excess Securities within the Purported Transferee’s possession or control, together with any Prohibited Distributions, to the Agent. The Agent shall thereupon sell to a buyer or buyers, which may include the Corporation, the Excess Securities transferred to it in one or more arm’s-length transactions (over the NASDAQ Stock Market or other national securities exchange on which the Corporation Securities may be traded, if possible, or otherwise privately); provided, however, that the Agent shall effect such sale or sales in an orderly fashion and shall not be required to effect any such sale within any specific time frame if, in the Agent’s discretion, such sale or sales would disrupt the market for the Corporation Securities or otherwise would adversely affect the value of the Corporation Securities. If the Purported Transferee has resold the Excess Securities before receiving the Corporation’s demand to surrender Excess Securities to the Agent, the Purported Transferee shall be deemed to have sold the Excess Securities for the Agent, and shall be required to transfer to the Agent any Prohibited Distributions and proceeds of such sale, except to the extent that the Corporation grants written permission to the Purported Transferee to retain a portion of such sales proceeds not exceeding the amount that the Purported Transferee would have received from the Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(e)(iii) if the Agent rather than the Purported Transferee had resold the Excess Securities.

 

(iii)        The Agent shall apply any proceeds or any other amounts received by it in accordance with Section 5.01(e)(ii) as follows: (A) first, such amounts shall be paid to the Agent to the extent necessary to cover its costs and expenses incurred in connection with its duties hereunder; (B) second, any remaining amounts shall be paid to the Purported Transferee, up to the amount paid by the Purported Transferee for the Excess Securities (or in the case of any Prohibited Transfer by gift, devise or inheritance or any other Prohibited Transfer without consideration, the fair market value, (1) calculated on the basis of the closing market price for the Corporation Securities on the day before the Prohibited Transfer, (2) if the Corporation Securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any stock exchange but are traded in the over-the-counter market, calculated based upon the difference between the highest bid and lowest asked prices, as such prices are reported by the relevant inter-dealer quotation service or any successor system on the day before the Prohibited Transfer or, if none, on the last preceding day for which such quotations exist, or (3) if the Corporation Securities are neither listed nor admitted to trading on any stock exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, then as determined by the Board), which amount (or fair market value) shall be determined at the discretion of the Board; and (C) third, any remaining amounts, subject to the limitations imposed by the following proviso, shall be paid to one or more organizations qualifying under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code (or any comparable successor provision) selected by the Board; provided, however, that if the Excess Securities (including any Excess Securities arising from a previous Prohibited Transfer not sold by the Agent in a prior sale or sales) represent a 4.99% or greater Percentage Stock Ownership in any class of Corporation Securities, then any such remaining amounts to the extent attributable to the disposition of the portion of such Excess Securities exceeding a 4.99% Percentage Stock Ownership interest in such class shall be paid to two or more organizations qualifying under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code selected by the Board, such that no organization qualifying under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code shall be deemed to possess a Percentage Stock Ownership in excess of 4.99%. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the recourse of any Purported Transferee in respect of any Prohibited Transfer shall be limited to the amount payable to the Purported Transferee pursuant to clause (B) of the preceding sentence. In no event shall the proceeds of any sale of Excess Securities pursuant to this Section 5.01(e) inure to the benefit of the Corporation.

 

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(iv)        In the event of any Transfer that does not involve a transfer of securities of the Corporation within the meaning of Delaware law (“Securities,” and individually, a “Security”) but which would cause a Substantial Stockholder to violate a restriction on Transfers provided for in Section 5.01(b), the application of Section 5.01(e)(ii) and (iii) shall be modified as described in this Section 5.01(e)(iv). In such case, no such Substantial Stockholder shall be required to dispose of any interest that is not a Security, but such Substantial Stockholder and/or any Person whose ownership of Securities is attributed to such Substantial Stockholder shall be deemed to have disposed of and shall be required to dispose of sufficient Securities (which Securities shall be disposed of in the inverse order in which they were acquired) to cause such Substantial Stockholder, following such disposition, not to be in violation of this Article V. Such disposition or process shall be deemed to occur simultaneously with the Transfer giving rise to the application of this provision, and such number of Securities that are deemed to be disposed of shall be considered Excess Securities and shall be disposed of through the Agent as provided in Section 5.01(e)(ii) and Section 5.01(e)(iii), except that the maximum aggregate amount payable either to such Substantial Stockholder, or to such other Person that was the direct holder of such Excess Securities, in connection with such sale shall be the fair market value of such Excess Securities at the time of the purported Transfer. All expenses incurred by the Agent in disposing of such Excess Securities shall be paid out of any amounts due such Substantial Stockholder or such other Person. The purpose of this Section 5.01(e)(iv) is to extend the restrictions in Section 5.01(b) and Section 5.01(e)(ii) to situations in which there is a Prohibited Transfer without a direct Transfer of Securities, and this Section 5.01(e)(iv), along with the other provisions of this Article V, shall be interpreted to produce the same results, with differences as the context requires, as a direct Transfer of Corporation Securities.

 

(v)         If the Purported Transferee fails to surrender the Excess Securities or the proceeds of a sale thereof to the Agent within thirty days from the date on which the Corporation makes a written demand pursuant to Section 5.01(e)(ii), then the Corporation may take any action it deems necessary to enforce the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, the institution of legal proceedings to compel the surrender. Nothing in this Section 5.01(e)(v) shall (A) be deemed to be inconsistent with any Transfer of the Excess Securities provided in this Article V to be void ab initio, or (B) preclude the Corporation, in its discretion, from immediately bringing legal proceedings without a prior demand. The Board may authorize such additional actions as it deems advisable to give effect to the provisions of this Article V.

 

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(vi)        The Corporation may make the written demand described in Section 5.01(e)(ii), as applicable, within thirty days of the date on which the Board determines that a Transfer constituted a Prohibited Transfer; provided, however, that, if the Corporation makes such demand at a later date, the provisions of Article V shall apply nonetheless. No failure by the Corporation to act within the time periods set forth in Section 5.01(e) shall constitute a waiver or loss of any right of the Corporation under this Article V.

 

(f) Obligation to Provide Information. At the request of the Corporation, any Person that is a beneficial, legal or record holder of Corporation Securities, any proposed transferor or transferee and any of their respective Affiliates and Associates, shall provide such information as the Corporation may reasonably request as may be necessary from time to time in order to determine compliance with this Article V or the status of the Corporation’s Tax Benefits. In furtherance thereof, as a condition to the registration of the Transfer of any Corporation Securities, any Person who is a beneficial, legal or record holder of Corporation Securities, any proposed transferee and any of their respective Affiliates and Associates, shall provide an affidavit containing such information as the Corporation may reasonably request from time to time in order to determine compliance with this Article V or the status of the Tax Benefits of the Corporation.

 

(g) Board Authority.

 

(i)          The Board shall have the power to interpret or determine in its sole discretion all matters necessary for assessing compliance with this Article V, including, without limitation, (i) the identification of Substantial Stockholders, (ii) whether a Transfer is a Prohibited Transfer, (iii) whether to exempt a Transfer, (iv) the Percentage Stock Ownership of any Substantial Stockholder, (v) whether an instrument constitutes a Corporation Security, (vi) the amount (or fair market value) due to a Purported Transferee pursuant to clause (B) of Section 5.01(e)(iii) and (e)(iv), and (vii) any other matters which the Board determines to be relevant; and the determination of the Board on such matters shall be conclusive and binding for all the purposes of this Article V.

 

(ii)         In addition, the Board may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, from time to time establish, modify, amend or rescind bylaws, regulations and procedures of the Corporation not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article V for purposes of determining whether any Transfer of Corporation Securities would jeopardize the Corporation’s ability to preserve and use the Tax Benefits and for the orderly application, administration and implementation of this Article V.

 

(iii)        Nothing contained in this Article V shall limit the authority of the Board to take such other action to the extent permitted by law as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and its stockholders in preserving the Tax Benefits.

 

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(iv)        In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Article V, including, without limitation, any definition used herein, the Board shall have the power to determine the application of such provisions with respect to any such situation. In the event this Article V requires an action by the Board but fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of this Article V. All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations that are done or made by the Board shall be conclusive and binding on the Corporation, the Agent and all other parties for all other purposes of this Article V. The Board may delegate all or any portion of its duties and powers under this Article V to a committee of the Board as it deems necessary or advisable and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, may exercise the authority granted by this Article V through duly authorized officers or agents of the Corporation. Nothing in this Article V shall be construed to limit or restrict the Board in the exercise of its fiduciary duties under applicable law.

 

(h) Reliance. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation and the members of the Board shall, in making the determinations and findings contemplated by this Article V, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees of the Board, or by any other Person as to matters the member reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation. For purposes of determining the existence and identity of, and the amount of any Corporation Securities owned by, any stockholder, the Corporation is entitled to rely on the existence and absence of filings of Schedule 13D or 13G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or similar filings), as of any date.

 

(i) Benefits of this Article V. Nothing in this Article V shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Corporation or the Agent any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Article V. This Article V shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Corporation and the Agent.

 

(j) Severability. The purpose of this Article V is to facilitate the Corporation’s ability to maintain or preserve its Tax Benefits. If any provision of this Article V or the application of any such provision to any Person or under any circumstance shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Article V.

 

(k) Waiver. With regard to any power, remedy or right provided herein or otherwise available to the Corporation or the Agent under this Article V, (i) no waiver will be effective unless expressly contained in a writing signed by the waiving party, and (ii) no alteration, modification or impairment will be implied by reason of any previous waiver, extension of time, delay or omission in exercise, or other indulgence of the terms of this Article V.

 

Article VI

 

SECTION 6.01. Board of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. The number of the directors of the Corporation shall be fixed in the manner provided in the Bylaws. The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such class or series of stock adopted by the Board, shall be elected by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon at each annual meeting of stockholders and shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until each of their successors shall have been elected and qualified. The election of directors need not be by written ballot. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

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SECTION 6.02. Filling of Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article IV of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.

 

SECTION 6.03. Qualifications of Directors. There shall be no limitation on the qualifications of any person to be a director or on the ability of any director to vote on any matter brought before the Board, except (a) as required by applicable law or (b) as set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Article VII

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the DGCL, the Board is expressly authorized to make, amend, alter, change, add to or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation without the assent or vote of the stockholders in any manner not inconsistent with the law of the State of Delaware or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Article VIII

 

To the fullest extent that the DGCL or any other law of the State of Delaware as it exists or as it may hereafter be amended permits the limitation or elimination of the liability of directors, no director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. No amendment to or repeal of this Article VIII shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

Article IX

 

SECTION 9.01. Indemnification. Each person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such person) shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted or authorized by the DGCL against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such person) in connection with any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding (any of the foregoing, a “Proceeding”) (or part thereof) initiated by such person (other than Proceedings to enforce indemnification or expense reimbursement or advancement rights hereunder) unless such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the Board. The Corporation may, but shall not be obligated to, maintain insurance, at its expense, for its benefit in respect of such indemnification and that of any such person whether or not the Corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify such person.

 

12
 

 

Expenses incurred by a person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in defending a Proceeding, shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding upon receipt by the Corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation under this Article IX.

 

If a claim for indemnification under this Section 9.01 after the final disposition of the Proceeding is not paid in full within ninety calendar days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, or if a claim for payment of expenses under this Section 9.01 is not paid in full within twenty calendar days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.

 

The rights conferred on any person by this Section 9.01 shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any law, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Corporation, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or resolution of disinterested directors or otherwise. The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any person that was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, as applicable.

 

Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.01 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

 

SECTION 9.02. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article IX shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or other person indemnified hereunder, and shall inure to the benefit of the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of such person.

 

13
 

 

Article X

 

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders; provided, however, that any action required or permitted to be taken, to the extent expressly permitted by the certificate of designation relating to one or more series of Preferred Stock, by the holders of such series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of the relevant class or series having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.

 

Article XI

 

The Corporation hereby expressly elects not to be governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, and the restrictions and limitations set forth therein.

 

******

 

14
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by Scott H. Pearce, its President and Chief Executive Officer, as of the 22nd day of October, 2014.

 

  By: /s/Scott H. Pearce
     
    Name: Scott H. Pearce
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation]

 

 
 

 

Annex I

 

16
 

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

 

OF

 

SERIES B JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

 

OF

 

BIOFUEL ENERGY CORP.

 

Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

BIOFUEL ENERGY CORP., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”) in accordance with the provisions of Section 103 thereof, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

That pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) in accordance with the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the said Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the said Board of Directors on March 27, 2014adopted the following resolution creating a series of 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock designated as “Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock”:

 

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors hereby authorizes a series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation to be, and such series of preferred stock hereby is, created, and that the number of shares thereof and the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof are as follows:

  

SECTION 1. Designation and Amount. There shall be a series of Preferred Stock that shall be designated as “Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock,” and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 100,000. Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock to less than the number of shares then issued and outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding rights, options or warrants or upon conversion of outstanding securities issued by the Corporation.

 

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SECTION 2. Dividends or Distributions. (a)  Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of shares of any other series of preferred stock of the Company or other class of capital stock of the Company ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock in respect thereof, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of the assets of the Company legally available therefor, (1) quarterly dividends payable in cash on the last day of each fiscal quarter in each year, or such other dates as the Board of Directors shall approve (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or a fraction of a share of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in the amount of $10.00 per whole share (rounded to the nearest cent) less the amount of all cash dividends declared on the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock pursuant to the following clause (2) since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the total of which shall not, in any event, be less than zero) and (2) dividends payable in cash on the payment date for each cash dividend declared on the shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the “Common Stock”) in an amount per whole share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to (x) the Formula Number (as hereinafter defined) then in effect times (y) the cash dividends then to be paid on each share of Common Stock. In addition, if the Corporation shall pay any dividend or make any distribution on the Common Stock payable in assets, securities or other forms of noncash consideration (other than dividends or distributions solely in shares of Common Stock), then, in each such case, the Corporation shall simultaneously pay or make on each outstanding whole share of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock a dividend or distribution in like kind equal to the Formula Number then in effect times such dividend or distribution on each share of Common Stock. As used herein, the “Formula Number” shall be 1,000; provided, however, that, if at any time after March 27, 2014, the Corporation shall (i) declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock or make any distribution on the Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide (by a stock split or otherwise) the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares of Common Stock or (iii) combine (by a reverse stock split or otherwise) the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such event the Formula Number shall be adjusted to a number determined by multiplying the Formula Number in effect immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to such event (and rounding the result to the nearest whole number); and provided further that, if at any time after March 27, 2014, the Corporation shall issue any shares of its capital stock in a merger, reclassification, or change of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, then in each such event the Formula Number shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such merger, reclassification or change so that each share of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock continues to be the economic equivalent of a Formula Number of shares of Common Stock prior to such merger, reclassification or change.

 

(b) The Corporation shall declare a cash dividend on the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2(a)(2) immediately prior to or at the same time it declares a cash dividend on the Common Stock; provided, however, that, in the event no cash dividend shall have been declared on the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, during the period between the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, a dividend of $10.00 per whole share on the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall nevertheless accrue on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, as the case may be. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be the same as the record date for any corresponding dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.

 

I-2
 

 

(c) Whether or not declared, dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock from and after the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from and after the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from and after such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding.

 

(d) So long as any shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividends or other distributions shall be declared, paid or distributed, or set aside for payment or distribution, on the Common Stock unless, in each case, the dividend required by this Section 2 to be declared on the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have been declared and set aside.

 

(e) The holders of shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions except as herein provided.

 

SECTION 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, shall have the following voting rights:

 

(a) Each holder of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be entitled to a number of votes on each matter on which holders of the Common Stock and Class B Common Stock or stockholders generally are entitled to vote equal to the Formula Number then in effect, for each share of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock held of record, multiplied by the maximum number of votes per share which any holder of Common Stock, any holder of Class B Common Stock or stockholders generally then have with respect to such matter (assuming, if applicable, any holding period or other requirement to exercise such maximum voting rights is satisfied).

 

I-3
 

 

(b) Except as otherwise herein provided or by applicable law, the holders of shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock and the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall vote together as one class for the election of directors of the Corporation and on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

  

(c) Except as otherwise herein provided or by applicable law, holders of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights.

 

SECTION 4. Certain Restrictions. (a) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Section 3 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

 

(i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock other than (A) such redemptions or purchases that may be deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants or similar rights or grant, vesting or lapse of restrictions on the grant of any other performance shares, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other equity awards to the extent that such shares represent all or a portion of (x) the exercise or purchase price of such options, warrants or similar rights or other equity awards and (y) the amount of withholding taxes owed by the recipient of such award in respect of such grant, exercise, vesting or lapse of restrictions; (B) the repurchase, redemption, or other acquisition or retirement for value of any such shares from employees, former employees, directors, former directors, consultants or former consultants of the Corporation or their respective estate, spouse, former spouse or family member, pursuant to the terms of the agreements pursuant to which such shares were acquired;

 

(ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled;

 

(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock; or

 

I-4
 

 

(iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

  

(b) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under Section 4(a), purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

 

SECTION 5. Liquidation Rights. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, no distribution shall be made (1) to the holders of any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have received an amount per share equal to the accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, plus an amount per share equal to the greater of (x) $1,000 per whole share and (y) an aggregate amount per share equal to the Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common Stock or (2) to the holders of any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except distributions made ratably on the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock and all other such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

 

SECTION 6. Consolidation, Merger, etc. (a) In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash or any other property, then in any such case the then outstanding shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed into an amount per share equal to the Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is exchanged or changed. In the event both this Section 6 and Section 2 appear to apply to a transaction, this Section 6 will control.

 

(b) Neither the merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with another entity nor the merger or consolidation of any other entity into or with the Corporation shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Section 6.

 

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SECTION 7. No Redemption; No Sinking Fund. (a)  The shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the Corporation or at the option of any holder of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock; provided, however, that, subject to Section 4(a)(iv), the Corporation may purchase or otherwise acquire outstanding shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock in the open market or by offer to any holder or holders of shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

 

(b) The shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be subject to or entitled to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund.

 

SECTION 8. No Purchase Fund. The shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be subject to or entitled to the operation of a purchase fund.

 

SECTION 9. No Conversion; No Exchange. The shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series.

 

SECTION 10. Ranking. The Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other series of preferred stock of the Corporation unless the Board of Directors shall specifically determine otherwise in fixing the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof.

 

SECTION 11. Fractional Shares. The Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be issuable upon exercise of the Rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement in whole shares or in any fraction of a share that is one one-thousandth of a share (as such fraction may be adjusted as provided in the Rights Agreement) or any integral multiple of such fraction which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional shares, to receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock. In lieu of any fractional shares, the Corporation may elect (a) to make a cash payment as provided in the Rights Agreement for fractions of a share, other than those one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a Preferred Share (as such fraction may be adjusted as provided in the Rights Agreement), or any integral multiple thereof, represented by one or more whole Rights immediately prior to such exercise, or (b) to issue depositary receipts evidencing fractional shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Corporation and a depository selected by the Corporation; provided, however, that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depositary receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as holders of the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

 

SECTION 12. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their retirement and cancelation become authorized but unissued shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock without designation as to series until such shares are once more designated as part of a particular series by the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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SECTION 13. Amendment. So long as any shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be outstanding, (i) none of the voting power, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights or privileges and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock as herein provided shall be amended in any manner which would alter or change the voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights or privileges of the holders of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock and (ii) no amendment, alteration or repeal of the Certificate of Incorporation or of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation shall be effected so as to affect adversely any of such voting power, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights or privileges.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Designation to be duly executed by its authorized officer as of the 27 day and of March, 2014.

 

BIOFUEL ENERGY INC.,
   
by  /s/ Mark Zoeller
   
Name:  Mark Zoeller
 
Title: Corporate Secretary

 

I-8

 

 



 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 



Exhibit 10.4

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of October 27, 2014 is entered into by and among Green Brick Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and certain holders of securities of the Company party to this Agreement (collectively, the “Investor Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, the Investor Parties own shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company and certain of the Investor Parties are party to that certain Transaction Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2014 (the “Transaction Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company has agreed to provide such Investor Parties with registration rights with respect to the Common Stock held from time to time by such Investor Parties, their Affiliates or their permitted transferees as specified herein, including the shares of Common Stock to be acquired by the Investor Parties pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Transaction Agreement, the Company and certain other Investor Parties entered into that certain Commitment Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2014 (the “Commitment Agreement”) pursuant to which such Investor Parties will receive Common Stock as part of the rights offering described therein and which Common Stock is intended to receive the benefits of this Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree, as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

 

Section 1.1           Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)          Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests are, at the time such determination is being made, owned, Controlled or held, directly or indirectly, by such Person or (ii) any other Person which, at the time such determination is being made, is Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with, such Person. As used herein, “Control”, whether used as a noun or verb, refers to the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or otherwise.

 

(b)          Backstop Registration Rights Agreement” means the registration rights agreements entered into on the date hereof between the Company and certain affiliates of Third Point LLC.

 

 
 

  

(c)          Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

(d)          FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

(e)          Holder” means a Person that (i) is a party to this Agreement (or a permitted transferee thereof under Section 2.12 hereof) and (ii) owns Registrable Securities.

 

(f)          Participating Holders” means Holders participating, or electing to participate, in an offering of Registrable Securities.

 

(g)          Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, company, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, limited liability company, joint venture, joint stock company, government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of any such entity.

 

(h)          Registrable Securities” means shares of Common Stock held by Holders; provided, however, that shares of Common Stock shall cease to be Registrable Securities (A) upon the sale thereof pursuant to an effective registration statement, (B) upon the sale thereof pursuant to Rule 144 (or successor rule under the Securities Act), (C) when such securities cease to be outstanding or (D) when all such securities become eligible for immediate sale under Rule 144 (or successor rule under the Securities Act), without any time or volume limitations under such Rule.

 

(i)          Registration Expenses” mean all expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) arising from or incident to the performance of, or compliance with, this Agreement, including, without limitation, (i) SEC, stock exchange, FINRA and other registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with complying with any securities or blue sky laws (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities), (iii) all printing, messenger and delivery expenses, (iv) the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Company and of its independent public accountants and any other accounting and legal fees, charges and expenses incurred by the Company (including any expenses arising from any special audits or “comfort letters” required in connection with or incident to any registration), (v) the fees, charges and disbursements of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with any registration pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (vi) all internal expenses of the Company (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), (vii) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange and (viii) Securities Act liability insurance (if the Company elects to obtain such insurance), regardless of whether any Registration Statement filed in connection with such registration is declared effective. “Registration Expenses” shall also include fees, charges and disbursements of one (1) firm of counsel to all of the Participating Holders participating in any underwritten public offering pursuant to Article II hereof (which shall be selected by the Participating Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering).

 

2
 

  

(j)          Registration Statement” means any Registration Statement of the Company filed with the SEC on the appropriate form pursuant to the Securities Act which covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and supplements to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all materials incorporated by reference therein.

 

(k)          SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(l)          Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

(m)          Selling Expenses” means the underwriting fees, discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to all Registrable Securities registered by the Participating Holders.

 

(n)          WKSI” means a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

Section 2.1           Demand Registration.

 

(a)          Request by Holders.  Upon receipt of a written request from one or more Holders (the “Requesting Holders”) that the Company register Registrable Securities held by Requesting Holders (a “Demand Request”), then the Company shall, within ten (10) days after receipt of such Demand Request, give written notice of such request (a “Request Notice”) to all Holders. Each Demand Request shall (x) specify the number of Registrable Securities that the Requesting Holders intend to sell or dispose of, (y) state the intended method or methods of sale or disposition of the Registrable Securities and (z) specify the expected price range (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) acceptable to the Requesting Holders to be received for such Registrable Securities; provided that any Demand Request must relate to Registrable Securities having a fair market value equal to or greater than $5,000,000 based on the average closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market (or such other exchange on which the Common Stock may then be listed) for the five business days immediately prior to the Demand Request (the “Minimum Amount”).  Following receipt of a Demand Request, the Company shall:

 

(i)          cause to be filed, as soon as practicable, but within sixty (60) days of the date of delivery to the Company of the Demand Request, a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Requesting Holders and other Holders who request to the Company that their Registrable Securities be registered within ten (10) days of the mailing of the Request Notice, providing for the registration under the Securities Act of such Registrable Securities to the extent necessary to permit the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of distribution specified in such Demand Request;

 

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(ii)         use its reasonable best efforts to have such Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable thereafter; and refrain from filing any other Registration Statements, other than pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or similar or successor forms), with respect to any other securities of the Company until such date which is ninety (90) days following effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed in response to the Demand Request.

 

(b)          Effective Registration Statement. A registration requested pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall not be deemed to have been effected unless (i) a Registration Statement with respect thereto has become effective and remained effective in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or (ii) such Registration Statement has been effective for 180 days; provided that if, after it has become effective, such registration is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or other governmental agency or court, such period shall be extended for any period during which the Registration Statement was not in effect.

 

(c)          Limitation on Demand Registrations. The Company shall only be obligated to effect two (2) Demand Requests in any twelve-month period pursuant to this Section 2.1. The right of any Holder to make a Demand Request shall be suspended at any time when a Shelf Registration Statement is available for use by the Holders.

 

(d)          Cancellation of Registration. The Requesting Holders shall have the right to cancel a proposed registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2.1 at any time prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement filed or to be filed in response to such Demand Request. Such cancellation of a registration shall not be counted as one of two (2) Demand Requests for the applicable twelve-month period and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the expenses of the Participating Holders incurred in connection with the registration prior to the time of cancellation. Upon receipt of notice of any such cancellation, the Company shall revise, abandon or withdraw such the relevant Registration Statement, as applicable.

 

Section 2.2           Piggyback Registrations.

 

(a)          Right to Include Registrable Securities. Each time that the Company proposes for any reason to register any of its equity interests under the Securities Act, either for its own account or otherwise, other than a rights offering or pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or similar or successor forms) (a “Proposed Registration”), the Company shall promptly give written notice of such Proposed Registration to all of the Holders (which notice shall be given not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the expected filing date of the Company’s Registration Statement) and shall offer such Holders the right to request inclusion of any of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the Proposed Registration. No registration pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall relieve the Company of its obligation to register Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Request, as contemplated by Section 2.1 hereof. The rights to piggyback registration may be exercised on an unlimited number of occasions.

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(b)          Piggyback Procedure. Each Holder shall have ten (10) days from the date of receipt of the Company’s notice referred to in Section 2.2(a) above to deliver to the Company a written request specifying the number of Registrable Securities such Holder intends to sell and such Holder’s intended method of disposition. Any Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Holder’s request for inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in any Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 2.2 by giving written notice to the Company of such withdrawal; provided, however, that the Company may ignore a notice of withdrawal made within twenty-four (24) hours of the time the Registration Statement is to become effective. Subject to Section 2.5(c) below, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to include in such Registration Statement all such Registrable Securities so requested to be included therein; provided, however, that the Company may at any time withdraw or cease proceeding with any such Proposed Registration if it shall at the same time withdraw or cease proceeding with the registration of all other Registrable Securities originally proposed to be registered (including if Requesting Holders cancel such Proposed Registration pursuant to Section 2.1(d) hereof).

 

(c)          Underwritten Offering. In the event that the Proposed Registration by the Company is, in whole or in part, an underwritten public offering of securities of the Company, any request under this Section 2.2 shall specify that the Registrable Securities be included in the underwriting on the same terms and conditions as the securities, if any, otherwise being sold through underwriters under such registration.

 

Section 2.3           SHELF REGISTRATION.

 

(a)          At any time that the Company is eligible to file a Registration Statement on Form S-3 in accordance with Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC (a “Shelf Registration Statement”), any one or more of the Holders shall have the right to request in writing (which request shall specify the Registrable Securities intended to be registered, the transaction to be registered and, to the extent applicable, the intended methods of disposition thereof) that the Company register any or all of such Holders’ Registrable Securities, in an amount not to be less than the Minimum Amount, by filing with the SEC a Shelf Registration Statement, including if the Company is at any time a WKSI, an automatic shelf registration statement, covering such Registrable Securities (a “Shelf Request”). Within ten (10) days of the Company’s receipt of a Shelf Request, the Company shall give written notice to each Holder informing such Holder of the Company’s intent to file such Shelf Registration Statement and of such Holder’s right to request the registration of the Registrable Securities held by such Holder. The Company shall, subject to the provisions of this Section 2.3(a), include in such registration all Registrable Securities of each Holder with respect to which the Company receives a written request for inclusion therein together with all duly completed and executed questionnaires and other documents reasonably requested by the Company and necessary to enable it to include such Holder as a selling stockholder) within five (5) business days after the notice contemplated by the immediately preceding sentence is given to the Holders. A Shelf Request shall not count as a Demand Request.

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(b)          The Holders may at any time and from time to time request in writing (a “Shelf Takedown Notice”) (which request shall specify the Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by Holders and the intended method of distribution thereof) to sell pursuant to a prospectus supplement (a “Shelf Takedown Prospectus Supplement”) Registrable Securities of such Holders available for sale pursuant to an effective Shelf Registration Statement. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to, not later than the second (2nd) business day after the receipt of the Shelf Takedown Notice cause to be filed the Shelf Takedown Prospectus Supplement, unless such sale involves an underwritten offering, which is the subject of Section 2.3(c) below. A request for a Shelf Takedown Prospectus Supplement may be withdrawn by the initiating Holder prior to the filing thereof pursuant to Section 2.1(d) hereof. A Shelf Takedown Notice shall count as a Demand Request.

 

(c)          If a sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2.3 involves an underwritten offering and the applicable securities are to be distributed on a firm commitment basis by or through one or more underwriters of recognized standing under underwriting terms appropriate for such transaction, then, within three (3) business days of the Company’s receipt of a Shelf Takedown Notice pursuant to Section 2.3(b), the Company shall give written notice to each Holder who has elected to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement informing such Holder of the Company’s intent to file such Shelf Takedown Prospectus Supplement and of such Holder’s right to request the addition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities to such Shelf Takedown Prospectus Supplement. The Company shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.5(b) and this Section 2.3(c), include in such Shelf Takedown Prospectus Supplement all Registrable Securities of each such Holder with respect to which the Company receives a written request for inclusion therein within three (3) business days after the notice contemplated by the immediately preceding sentence is given to the Holders.

 

Section 2.4           SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. In the event that the Company is required to file a Registration Statement covering any Registrable Securities and the proposed public offering is to be an underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter shall be one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks selected by Participating Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering and reasonably acceptable to the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned; provided that the managing underwriter for any registration initiated by the Company for its own account shall be a reputable national recognized investment bank selected by the Company in its sole discretion.

 

Section 2.5           Priority for Registration.

 

(a)          General. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and subject to Section 2.5(b) and Section 2.5(c) below, if the managing underwriter of an underwritten public offering determines in good faith and advises the Participating Holders and the Company in writing that the inclusion of all Registrable Securities proposed to be included by the Company and any other Holders in the underwritten public offering would materially and adversely interfere with the successful marketing of the Registrable Securities of Requesting Holders or Holders that provided a Shelf Takedown Notice at the desired offering price, then the Company will be obligated to include in such Registration Statement, as to each Holder, only a portion of the Registrable Securities such Holder has requested be registered equal to the ratio which such Holder’s requested Registrable Securities bears to the total number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Registration Statement by all Holders who have requested that their Registrable Securities be included in such Registration Statement.

 

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(b)          Demand or Shelf Takedown. It is acknowledged by the parties hereto that pursuant to Section 2.5(a) above, the securities to be included in a registration requested by the Requesting Holders pursuant to Section 2.1 or in a Shelf Takedown Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Section 2.3 shall be allocated: (i) first, to the Requesting Holders or Holders who have provided a Shelf Takedown Notice, (ii) second, to any other Holders (other than those in clause (i)) and the holders under the Backstop Registration Rights Agreement, (iii) third, to the Company and (iv) fourth, to any other holders of equity interests of the Company requesting registration of securities of the Company; provided that in the case of a demand by any Holder(s) with respect to which one or more other Holders has exercised its piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, any such Holder may convert its piggyback election to a Demand Request, such that such Holder will be included in subclause (i) above in the event of any cutback pursuant to this Section 2.5.

 

(c)          Piggyback. It is acknowledged by the parties hereto that pursuant to Section 2.5(a) above, the securities to be included in a registration initiated by the Company, including with respect to a Shelf Takedown Prospectus Supplement, shall be allocated: (i) first, to the Company; (ii) second, pro rata to the Holders and the holders under the Backstop Registration Rights Agreement; and (iii) third, to any others requesting registration of securities of the Company.

 

(d)          Other registrations. It is acknowledged by the parties hereto that pursuant to Section 2.5(a) above, the securities to be included in a registration initiated by holders of equity securities other than the Company or the Holders shall be allocated: (i) first, to such initiating holders; (ii) second, pro rata to the Holders and the holders under the Backstop Registration Rights Agreement; and (iii) third, to the Company.

 

Section 2.6           REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.

 

(a)          Obligations of the Company. Whenever registration of Registrable Securities is required pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof as promptly as possible, and in connection with any such request, the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:

 

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(i)          Preparation of Registration Statement; Effectiveness. Prepare and file with the SEC (in any event not later than sixty (60) days after receipt of a Demand Request or a Shelf Request, as applicable, to file a Registration Statement with respect to Registrable Securities), a Registration Statement on any form on which the Company then qualifies, which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and pursuant to which such offering may be made in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof for a Demand Request and on Form S-3 or any successor form for a Shelf Request (except that the Registration Statement shall contain such information as may reasonably be requested for marketing or other purposes by the managing underwriter), and use its reasonable best efforts to cause any registration required hereunder to become effective as soon as practicable after the initial filing thereof (and within ninety (90) days of such filing for a Shelf Registration Statement) and remain effective for a period of not less than one hundred and eighty (180) days (or such shorter period in which all Registrable Securities have been sold in accordance with the methods of distribution set forth in the Registration Statement); provided, however, that, in the case of any Shelf Registration Statement, such one hundred and eighty (180) day period shall be extended, if necessary, to keep the Registration Statement effective until all such Registrable Securities are sold, provided that Rule 415, or any successor rule under the Securities Act, permits an offering on a continuous or delayed basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may (A) with respect to a Demand Request, defer the filing of a Registration Statement for a period of not more than 60 days (but not more than once in any six-month period); provided that such deferral shall be the shortest possible period of time determined in good faith by the Company or (B) suspend the use of a prospectus under a Registration Statement on Form S-3 for a period not to exceed 60 days in succession or 120 days in the aggregate in any twelve-month period, in each case if the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that because of bona fide business reasons (not including the avoidance of the Company’s obligations hereunder), including the acquisition or divestiture of assets, pending corporate developments and similar events, it is in the best interests of the Company to delay the filing of such Registration Statement or to suspend the use of such prospectus, and prior to delaying such filing or suspending such use, the Company provides the Participating Holders with written notice of such delay or suspension, which notice need not specify the nature of the event giving rise to such delay or suspension;

 

(ii)         Participation in Preparation. Provide any Participating Holder, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a Registration Statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any Participating Holder or underwriter (each, an “Inspector” and, collectively, the “Inspectors”), the opportunity to participate (including, but not limited to, reviewing, commenting on and attending all meetings) in the preparation of such Registration Statement, each prospectus included therein or filed with the SEC and each amendment or supplement thereto;

 

(iii)        Due Diligence. For a reasonable period prior to the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement, make available for inspection and copying by the Inspectors such financial and other information and books and records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries and cause the officers, directors, employees, counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company and its subsidiaries to respond to such inquiries and to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement, as shall be reasonably necessary, in the judgment of the respective counsel referred to in Section 2.6(a)(ii), to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act;

 

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(iv)        General Notifications. Promptly notify in writing the Participating Holders, the sales or placement agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriter of the securities being sold, (A) when such Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or any prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) when the SEC notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of such Registration Statement, (C) of any comments (oral or written) by the SEC and by the blue sky or securities commissioner or regulator of any state with respect thereto and (D) of any request by the SEC for any amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement or the prospectus or for additional information;

 

(v)         10b-5 Notification. Promptly notify in writing the Participating Holders, the sales or placement agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriter of the securities being sold pursuant to any Registration Statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act upon discovery that, or upon the happening of any event as a result of which, any prospectus included in such Registration Statement (or amendment or supplement thereto) contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made, and the Company shall promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus and file it with the SEC (in any event no later than ten (10) days following notice of the occurrence of such event to each Participating Holder, the sales or placement agent and the managing underwriter) so that after delivery of such prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made;

 

(vi)        Notification of Stop Orders; Suspensions of Qualifications and Exemptions. Promptly notify in writing the Participating Holders, the sales or placement agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriter of the securities being sold of the issuance by the SEC of (A) any stop order issued or threatened to be issued by the SEC or (B) any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and the Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to (x) prevent the issuance of any such stop order, and in the event of such issuance, to obtain the withdrawal of any such stop order and (y) obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of any Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest practicable date;

 

(vii)       Amendments and Supplements; Acceleration. Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments, including post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable time period required hereunder and, if applicable, file any Registration Statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act; cause the related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) promulgated under the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in such prospectus as so supplemented. If a majority in interest of the Participating Holders so request, request acceleration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement from the SEC and any post-effective amendments thereto, if any are filed; provided that at the time of such request, the Company does not in good faith believe that it is necessary to amend further the Registration Statement in order to comply with the provisions of this subparagraph. If the Company wishes to further amend the Registration Statement prior to requesting acceleration, it shall have five (5) days to so amend prior to requesting acceleration;

 

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(viii)      Copies. Furnish as promptly as practicable to each Participating Holder and Inspector prior to filing a Registration Statement or any supplement or amendment thereto, copies of such Registration Statement, supplement or amendment as it is proposed to be filed, and after such filing such number of copies of such Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto), the prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as each such Participating Holder or underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Participating Holder;

 

(ix)         Blue Sky. Use its reasonable best efforts to, prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities, register or qualify (or seek an exemption from registration or qualifications) such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Participating Holder or underwriter may request, and to continue such qualification in effect in each such jurisdiction for as long as is permissible pursuant to the laws of such jurisdiction, or for as long as a Participating Holder or underwriter requests or until all of such Registrable Securities are sold, whichever is shortest, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable any Participating Holder to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities;

 

(x)          Other Approvals. Use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all other approvals, consents, exemptions or authorizations from such governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the Participating Holders and underwriters to consummate the disposition of Registrable Securities;

 

(xi)         Agreements. Enter into customary agreements (including any underwriting agreements in customary form), and take such other actions as may be reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities;

 

(xii)        “Cold Comfort” Letter. Obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the Participating Holders;

 

(xiii)       Legal Opinion. Furnish, at the request of any underwriter of Registrable Securities on the date such securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale pursuant to such registration, an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, addressed to the Holders, and the placement agent or sales agent, if any, thereof and the underwriters, if any, thereof, covering such legal matters with respect to the registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as such underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the Participating Holders;

 

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(xiv)      SEC Compliance; Earnings Statement. Use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make available to its shareholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, but no later than fifteen (15) months after the effective date of any Registration Statement, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve (12) months beginning after the effective date of such Registration Statement, in a manner which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

 

(xv)       Certificates; Closing. Provide officers’ certificates and other customary closing documents;

 

(xvi)      FINRA. Cooperate with each Participating Holder and each underwriter participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and underwriters’ counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA;

 

(xvii)     Road Show. Cause appropriate officers as are requested by a managing underwriter to participate in a “road show” or similar marketing effort being conducted by such underwriter with respect to an underwritten public offering;

 

(xviii)    Listing. Use its reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and if not so listed, to be listed on the NASDAQ automated quotation system;

 

(xix)      Transfer Agent, Registrar and CUSIP. Provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant hereto and a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case, no later than the effective date of such registration;

 

(xx)        Private Sales. Use its reasonable best efforts to assist a Holder in facilitating private sales of Registrable Securities by, among other things, providing officers’ certificates and other customary closing documents reasonably requested by a Holder; and

 

(xxi)       Reasonable Best Efforts. Use its reasonable best efforts to take all other actions necessary to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.

 

(b)          Seller Information. The Company may require each Participating Holder as to which any registration of such Holder’s Registrable Securities is being effected to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and such Holder’s method of distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing. If a Holder refuses to provide the Company with any of such information on the grounds that it is not necessary to include such information in the Registration Statement, the Company may exclude such Participating Holder’s Registrable Securities from the Registration Statement if the Company provides such Participating Holder with an opinion of counsel to the effect that such information must be included in the Registration Statement and such Participating Holder continues thereafter to withhold such information. The exclusion of a Participating Holder’s Registrable Securities shall not affect the registration of the other Registrable Securities to be included in the Registration Statement.

 

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(c)          Notice to Discontinue. Each Participating Holder whose Registrable Securities are covered by a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement agrees that, upon receipt of written notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.6(a)(v), such Participating Holder shall forthwith discontinue the disposition of Registrable Securities until such Participating Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 2.6(a)(v) or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the prospectus may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference into the prospectus, and, if so directed by the Company in the case of an event described in Section 2.6(a)(v), such Participating Holder shall deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Participating Holder’s possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities which is current at the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company shall give any such notice, the Company shall extend the period during which such Registration Statement is to be maintained effective by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 2.6(a)(v) to and including the date when the Participating Holder shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by, and meeting the requirements of, Section 2.6(a)(v).

 

Section 2.7           REGISTRATION EXPENSES. Except as otherwise provided herein, all Registration Expenses shall be borne by the Company. All Selling Expenses relating to Registrable Securities registered shall be borne by the Participating Holders of such Registrable Securities pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities so registered.

 

Section 2.8           INDEMNIFICATION.

 

(a)          Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees, notwithstanding termination of this Agreement, to indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder, each of their directors, officers, employees, advisors, agents and general or limited partners (and the directors, officers, employees, advisors and agents thereof), their respective Affiliates and each Person who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) any of such Persons, and each underwriter and each Person who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) any underwriter (collectively, “Holder Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable costs of investigation and fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel, any amounts paid in settlement effected with the Company’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and any costs incurred in enforcing the Company’s indemnification obligations hereunder) or other liabilities (collectively, “Losses”) to which any such Holder Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, Exchange Act, any other federal law, any state or common law or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) are resulting from or arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus (as amended or supplemented) or any document incorporated by reference in any of the foregoing or resulting from or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading or (ii) any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, Exchange Act, any other federal law, any state or common law or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder or otherwise incident to any registration, qualification or compliance and in any such case, the Company will promptly reimburse each such Holder Indemnified Party for any legal expenses and any other Losses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating, preparing or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability, action or investigation or proceeding (collectively, a “Claim”). Such indemnity obligation shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Holder Indemnified Parties and shall survive the transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder Indemnified Parties.

 

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(b)          Indemnification by Holders. In connection with any proposed registration in which a Holder is participating pursuant to this Agreement, each such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information with respect to such Holder as the Company may reasonably request or as may be required by law for use in connection with any Registration Statement or prospectus or preliminary prospectus to be used in connection with such registration and each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, any underwriter retained by the Company and their respective directors, officers, partners, employees, advisors and agents, their respective Affiliates and each Person who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) any of such Persons to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the Holder Indemnified Parties as set forth in Section 2.8(a) (subject to the exceptions set forth in the foregoing indemnity, the proviso to this sentence and applicable law), but only with respect to any such information furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 2.8(b) shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in the offering giving rise to such liability. Such indemnity obligation shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Holder Indemnified Parties (except as provided above) and shall survive the transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder.

 

(c)          Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder (the “Indemnified Party”) agrees to give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party (the “Indemnifying Party”) after the receipt by the Indemnified Party of any written notice of the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation or threat thereof made in writing for which the Indemnified Party intends to claim indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that, the failure so to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any liability that it may have to the Indemnified Party hereunder unless and to the extent such Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure. If notice of commencement of any such action is given to the Indemnifying Party as above provided, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it may wish, jointly with any other Indemnifying Party similarly notified, to assume the defense of such action at its own expense, with counsel chosen by it and reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid by the Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party agrees to pay the same, (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails to assume the defense of such action with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party in its reasonable judgment or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including, but not limited to, any impleaded parties) reasonably believe that the representation of such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct. In the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such Indemnified Party. No Indemnifying Party shall be liable for any settlement entered into without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (A) includes an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (B) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party. The rights afforded to any Indemnified Party hereunder shall be in addition to any rights that such Indemnified Party may have at common law, by separate agreement or otherwise.

 

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(d)          Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.8 from the Indemnifying Party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified Party in respect of any Losses referred to herein, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying the Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative faults of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the Indemnifying Party’s and Indemnified Party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 2.8(d) shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in the offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the Losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 2.8, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.  The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.8(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 2.8(d).

 

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Section 2.9           RULE 144; OTHER EXEMPTIONS. With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and other rules and regulations of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the Company covenants that it shall (i) file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder and (ii) take such further action as each Holder may reasonably request (including, but not limited to, providing any information necessary to comply with Rule 144, if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act), at all times from and after the date hereof, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (x) Rule 144 (if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities) under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time or (y) any other rules or regulations now existing or hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the written request of a Holder, the Company shall deliver to the Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

Section 2.10         CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON REGISTRATION RIGHTS. No Holder may participate in any Registration Statement hereunder unless such Holder completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements, and agrees to sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting agreement approved by the Holder or Holders entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements; provided, however, that no such Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters in connection with any such registration other than representations and warranties as to (i) such Holder’s ownership of its Registrable Securities to be sold or transferred, (ii) such Holder’s power and authority to effect such transfer and (iii) such matters pertaining to compliance with applicable securities laws as may be reasonably requested. Such Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold by such underwriters may, at their option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters, shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holders and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of the underwriters under the underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of the Holders.

 

Section 2.11         LIMITATIONS ON SUBSEQUENT REGISTRATION RIGHTS. The Company represents and warrants that other than pursuant to the Backstop Registration Rights Agreement, it has not granted registration rights on or prior to the date hereof and agrees that from and after the date hereof, it shall not, without the prior written consent of the Holders of at least fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities then outstanding, enter into any agreement (or amendment or waiver of the provisions of any agreement) with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company that would grant such holder registration rights that are more favorable, pari passu or senior to those granted to the Investor Parties hereunder.

 

Section 2.12         TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. The rights of a Holder hereunder may be transferred or assigned in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities to (i) any Affiliate of a Holder, (ii) any subsidiary, parent, partner, retired partner, limited partner, shareholder or member of a Holder, (iii) any family member or trust for the benefit of any Holder or (iv) any transferee who, after such transfer, holds at least one thousand (1,000) Registrable Securities (as adjusted for any stock dividends, stock splits, combinations and reorganizations and similar events). Notwithstanding the foregoing, such rights may only be transferred or assigned provided that all of the following additional conditions are satisfied: (a) such transfer or assignment is effected in accordance with applicable securities laws; (b) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to become subject to the terms of this Agreement; and (c) the Company is given written notice by such Holder of such transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of the transferee or assignee and identifying the Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred or assigned.

 

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ARTICLE III

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 3.1           ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and any certificates, documents, instruments and writings that are delivered pursuant hereto, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 3.2           ASSIGNMENT; BINDING EFFECT. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.12, no party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other parties. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

Section 3.3           NOTICES. All notices, requests and other communications provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and shall be given by personal delivery, by certified or registered United States mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or by facsimile transmission, to the address listed for each party in the Transaction Agreement or the Commitment Agreement, as applicable (or to such other address as any party may give in a notice given in accordance with the provisions hereof). All notices, requests or other communications will be effective and deemed given only as follows: (i) if given by personal delivery, upon such personal delivery, (ii) if sent by certified or registered mail, on the fifth business day after being deposited in the United States mail, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by overnight delivery service, on the date of delivery as confirmed by written confirmation of delivery, (iv) if sent by facsimile, upon the transmitter’s confirmation of receipt of such facsimile transmission, except that if such confirmation is received after 5:00 p.m. (in the recipient’s time zone) on a business day, or is received on a day that is not a business day, then such notice, request or communication will not be deemed effective or given until the next succeeding business day. Notices, requests and other communications sent in any other manner, including by electronic mail, will not be effective.

 

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Section 3.4           SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE; REMEDIES. Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other parties would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its provisions in any action or proceeding instituted in any state or federal court sitting in New York City, New York having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, the rights, obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein will be considered an election of remedies.

 

Section 3.5           SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

 

(a)          Submission to Jurisdiction. Any action, suit or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall only be brought in any state or federal court sitting in New York City, New York, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such action, suit or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such, action, suit or proceeding in any such court or that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing, service of process on such party as provided in Section 3.5 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party.

 

(b)          Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ANY DISPUTE THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE SUCH PARTY HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL OF ANY DISPUTE BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS RELATING HERETO OR ANY DEALINGS AMONG THEM RELATING TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO ENCOMPASS ANY AND ALL ACTIONS, SUITS AND PROCEEDINGS THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY REPRESENTS THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND WITH THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL HAS  CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND REPRESENTATIONS IN THIS SECTION 3.5(b).

 

Section 3.6           GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law principles.

 

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Section 3.7           HEADINGS. The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.8           AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may not be amended or modified without the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities then outstanding; provided, however, that any amendment or modification that adversely affects the rights of one or more Holders of Registrable Securities under this Agreement, in their capacity as such, in a manner that is materially different from the manner in which such amendment or modification affects the rights of other Holders of Registrable Securities under this Agreement, in their capacity as such, shall require the consent of each such adversely affected Holder.

 

Section 3.9           EXTENSIONS; WAIVERS. Any party may, for itself only, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.

 

Section 3.10         SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, is judicially determined not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties agree that the court judicially making such determination may modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its modified form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.

 

Section 3.11         COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties. For purposes of determining whether a party has signed this Agreement or any document contemplated hereby or any amendment or waiver hereof, only a handwritten original signature on a paper document or a facsimile copy of such a handwritten original signature shall constitute a signature, notwithstanding any law relating to or enabling the creation, execution or delivery of any contract or signature by electronic means.

 

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Section 3.12         CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be deemed to refer to such law as in effect on the date hereof and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party has breached any covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first covenant. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.13         ATTORNEYS’ FEES. If any dispute among any parties arises in connection with this Agreement, the prevailing party in the resolution of such dispute in any action or proceeding will be entitled to an order awarding full recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, costs and expenses (including experts’ fees and expenses and the costs of enforcing this Section 3.13) incurred in connection therewith, including court costs, from the non-prevailing party.

 

Section 3.14         ADJUSTMENTS FOR STOCK SPLITS, ETC.. Wherever in this Agreement there is a reference to a specific number of shares of the Company’s capital stock of any class or series, then, upon the occurrence of any subdivision, combination or stock dividend of such class or series of stock, the specific number of shares so referenced in this Agreement will automatically be proportionally adjusted to reflect the effect of such subdivision, combination or stock dividend on the outstanding shares of such class or series of stock.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  JBGL EXCHANGE (OFFSHORE), LLC,
  By: Greenlight APE, LLC, its Manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Title: Authorized Signatories
     
  JBGL WILLOW CREST (OFFSHORE), LLC
  By: Greenlight APE, LLC, its Manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Title: Authorized Signatories
     
  JBGL HAWTHORNE (OFFSHORE), LLC
  By: Greenlight APE, LLC, its Manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Title: Authorized Signatories
     
  JBGL INWOOD (OFFSHORE), LLC
  By: Greenlight APE, LLC, its Manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Title: Authorized Signatories
     
  JBGL CHATEAU (OFFSHORE), LLC
  By: Greenlight APE, LLC, its Manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Title: Authorized Signatories

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

  

  JBGL CASTLE PINES (OFFSHORE), LLC
  By: Greenlight APE, LLC, its Manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Title: Authorized Signatories
     
  JBGL MUSTANG (OFFSHORE), LLC
  By: Greenlight APE, LLC, its Manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Title: Authorized Signatories
     
  JBGL KITTYHAWK (OFFSHORE), LLC
  By: Greenlight APE, LLC, its Manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Title: Authorized Signatories
     
  JBGL LAKESIDE (OFFSHORE), LLC
  By: Greenlight APE, LLC, its Manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Title: Authorized Signatories
     
  JBGL BUILDER FINANCE (OFFSHORE), LLC
  By: Greenlight APE, LLC, its Manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Title: Authorized Signatories

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

  

  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL QUALIFIED, LP
  By: Greenlight Capital, Inc., its investment manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
     
  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL, LP
  By: Greenlight Capital, Inc., its investment manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
     
  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL OFFSHORE PARTNERS
  By: Greenlight Capital, Inc., its investment advisor
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
     
  GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE, LTD.
  By: DME Advisors, LP, its investment advisor
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

  

  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL (GOLD), LP
  By: DME Capital Management, LP, its investment manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
     
  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL OFFSHORE MASTER (GOLD), LTD.
  By: DME Capital Management, LP, its investment advisor
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer

 

 
 

 

  By: /s/ Scott L. Roberts
  Name: Scott L. Roberts

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

 

  L. LORAINE BRICKMAN REVOCABLE TRUST
     
  By: /s/ James R. Brickman
  Name: James R. Brickman
  Title: Trustee

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

  

  ROGER E. BRICKMAN GST MARITAL TRUST
   
  By: /s/ James R. Brickman
  Name: James R. Brickman
  Title: Trustee

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

  

  By: /s/ James R. Brickman
  Name: James R. Brickman

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

 

  By: /s/ Blake Brickman
  Name: Blake Brickman

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

  

  By: /s/ Jennifer Brickman Roberts
  Name: Jennifer Brickman Roberts

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

  

  By: /s/ Trevor Brickman
  Name: Trevor Brickman

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

  

  By: /s/ Natalie Brickman
  Name: Natalie Brickman

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

 

  GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ James R. Brickman
    Name: James R. Brickman
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 



 

Exhibit 10.5

 

Backstop REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This BACKSTOP REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of October 27, 2014 is entered into by and among Green Brick Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and certain holders of securities of the Company party to this Agreement (collectively, the “Investor Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Investor Parties are party to that certain Rights Offering Backstop Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2014 (the “Backstop Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company and the Investor Parties have agreed to enter into this Agreement with respect to the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) that the Investor Parties may receive in connection with the rights offering described therein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree, as follows:

 

Article I

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

 

Section 1.1          Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)          Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests are, at the time such determination is being made, owned, Controlled or held, directly or indirectly, by such Person or (ii) any other Person which, at the time such determination is being made, is Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with, such Person. As used herein, “Control”, whether used as a noun or verb, refers to the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or otherwise.

 

(b)          Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

(c)          FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

(d)          Holder” means a Person that (i) is a party to this Agreement (or a permitted transferee under Section 2.12 hereof) and (ii) owns Registrable Securities.

 

(e)          Green Brick Registration Rights Agreement” means the registration rights agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and certain affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc., James R. Brickman, certain family members of James. R. Brickman and certain trusts affiliated with James R. Brickman.

 

 
 

 

(f)          Other Registration Rights Agreements” means the Green Brick Registration Rights Agreement and any other registration rights agreement between the Company and any other party that is then in effect.

 

(g)          Participating Holders” means Holders participating, or electing to participate, in an offering of Registrable Securities.

 

(h)          Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, company, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, limited liability company, joint venture, joint stock company, government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of any such entity.

 

(i)          Registrable Securities” means shares of Common Stock held by Holders; provided, however, that shares of Common Stock shall cease to be Registrable Securities (A) upon the sale thereof pursuant to an effective registration statement, (B) upon the sale thereof pursuant to Rule 144 (or successor rule under the Securities Act), (C) when such securities cease to be outstanding or (D) when all such securities become eligible for immediate sale under Rule 144 (or successor rule under the Securities Act), without any time or volume limitations under such Rule.

 

(j)          Registration Expenses” mean all expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) arising from or incident to the performance of, or compliance with, this Agreement, including, without limitation, (i) SEC, stock exchange, FINRA and other registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with complying with any securities or blue sky laws (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities), (iii) all printing, messenger and delivery expenses, (iv) the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Company and of its independent public accountants and any other accounting and legal fees, charges and expenses incurred by the Company (including any expenses arising from any special audits or “comfort letters” required in connection with or incident to any registration), (v) the fees, charges and disbursements of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with any registration pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (vi) all internal expenses of the Company (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), (vii) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange and (viii) Securities Act liability insurance (if the Company elects to obtain such insurance), regardless of whether any Registration Statement filed in connection with such registration is declared effective. “Registration Expenses” shall also include fees, charges and disbursements of one (1) firm of counsel to all of the Participating Holders (including any participating holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to an Other Registration Rights Agreement) participating in any underwritten public offering pursuant to Article II hereof (which shall be selected by the Participating Holders (including any participating holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to an Other Registration Rights Agreement) holding a majority of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering).

 

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(k)          Registration Statement” means any Registration Statement of the Company filed with the SEC on the appropriate form pursuant to the Securities Act which covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and supplements to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all materials incorporated by reference therein.

 

(l)          SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(m)         Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

(n)          Selling Expenses” means the underwriting fees, discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to all Registrable Securities registered by the Participating Holders.

 

(o)          Shelf Registration Statement” means a Registration Statement on Form S-3 in accordance with Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC.

 

Article II

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

Section 2.1          RESERVED.

 

Section 2.2          Piggyback Registrations.

 

(a)          Right to Include Registrable Securities. Each time that the Company proposes for any reason to register any of its equity interests under the Securities Act, either for its own account or otherwise, other than a rights offering or pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or similar or successor forms) (a “Proposed Registration”), the Company shall give written notice of such Proposed Registration to all of the Holders as promptly as practicable (which notice shall be given not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the expected filing date of the Company’s Registration Statement) and shall offer such Holders the right to request inclusion of any of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the Proposed Registration. The rights to piggyback registration may be exercised on an unlimited number of occasions.

 

(b)          Piggyback Procedure. Each Holder shall have ten (10) days from the date of receipt of the Company’s notice referred to in Section 2.2(a) above to deliver to the Company a written request specifying the number of Registrable Securities such Holder intends to sell and such Holder’s intended method of disposition. Any Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Holder’s request for inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in any Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 2.2 by giving written notice to the Company of such withdrawal; provided, however, that the Company may ignore a notice of withdrawal made within twenty-four (24) hours of the time the Registration Statement is to become effective. Subject to Section 2.5(c) below, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to include in such Registration Statement all such Registrable Securities so requested to be included therein; provided, however, that the Company may at any time withdraw or cease proceeding with any such Proposed Registration if it shall at the same time withdraw or cease proceeding with the registration of all other Registrable Securities originally proposed to be registered (including if holders who have requested such Proposed Registration cancel such Proposed Registration pursuant to an Other Registration Rights Agreement).

 

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(c)          Underwritten Offering. In the event that the Proposed Registration by the Company is, in whole or in part, an underwritten public offering of securities of the Company, any request under this Section 2.2 shall specify that the Holders’ Registrable Securities be included in the underwriting on the same terms and conditions as the securities, if any, otherwise being sold through underwriters under such registration. If a sale of Registrable Securities on a Shelf Registration Statement involves an underwritten offering and the applicable securities are to be distributed on a firm commitment basis by or through one or more underwriters of recognized standing under underwriting terms appropriate for such transaction, then, within three (3) business days of the Company’s receipt of a notice (in accordance with the terms of an Other Registration Rights Agreement) to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, the Company shall give written notice to each Holder who has elected to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement informing such Holder of the Company’s intent to file a prospectus supplement and of such Holder’s right to request the addition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities to such prospectus supplement. The Company shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.5(b) and this Section 2.2(c), include in such prospectus supplement all Registrable Securities of each such Holder with respect to which the Company receives a written request for inclusion therein within three (3) business days after the notice contemplated by the immediately preceding sentence is given to the Holders.

 

Section 2.3          RESERVED.

 

Section 2.4          SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. With respect to any Proposed Registration that involves an underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter will either be selected by the Company or certain holders of Company securities, as determined pursuant to the terms of the Green Brick Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Section 2.5          Priority for Registration.

 

(a)          General. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and subject to Section 2.5(b) and Section 2.5(c) below, if the managing underwriter of an underwritten public offering determines in good faith and advises the Participating Holders and the Company in writing that the inclusion of all Registrable Securities proposed to be included by the Company and any other Holders in the underwritten public offering would materially and adversely interfere with the successful marketing of the Registrable Securities requested to be included therein at the desired offering price, then the Company will be obligated to include in such Registration Statement, as to each Holder, only a portion of the Registrable Securities such Holder has requested be registered equal to the ratio which such Holder’s requested Registrable Securities bears to the total number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Registration Statement by all Holders who have requested that their Registrable Securities be included in such Registration Statement.

 

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(b)          Piggyback. It is acknowledged by the parties hereto that pursuant to Section 2.5(a) above, the securities to be included in a registration initiated by the Company, including with respect to a Shelf Takedown Prospectus Supplement, shall be allocated: (i) first, to the Company; (ii) second, pro rata to the Holders hereunder and the holders under the Green Brick Registration Rights Agreement; and (iii) third, to any others requesting registration of securities of the Company.

 

(c)          Other registrations. It is acknowledged by the parties hereto that pursuant to Section 2.5(a) above, the securities to be included in a registration initiated by holders of equity securities other than the Company or the Holders shall be allocated: (i) first, to such initiating holders; (ii) second, pro rata to the Holders hereunder and the holders under the Green Brick Registration Rights Agreement; and (iii) third, to the Company.

 

Section 2.6          LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS. If any registration of Registrable Securities shall be effected in connection with an underwritten public offering, no Holder shall effect any public sale or distribution, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144, of any shares of Common Stock or other security of the Company (except as part of such underwritten public offering) during the period beginning fourteen (14) days prior to the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement until the earlier of: (i) such time as the Company and the managing underwriter shall agree and (ii) ninety (90) days (or such longer period of time as reasonably requested by the managing underwriter, not to exceed one hundred and eighty (180) days), provided, that the directors and officers of the Company and any holders under the Green Brick Registration Rights Agreement participating in such registration each are subject to such sale and distribution restrictions on terms no more favorable to such Persons than those provided for in this Section 2.6.

 

Section 2.7           REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.

 

(a)          Obligations of the Company. Whenever registration of Registrable Securities is required pursuant to this Agreement, subject to the provisions of Section 2.7(a)(i) below the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof as promptly as possible, and in connection with any such request, the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:

 

(i)          Preparation of Registration Statement; Effectiveness. Prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on any form on which the Company then qualifies, which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and pursuant to which such offering may be made in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause any registration required hereunder to become effective as soon as practicable after the initial filing thereof and remain effective for a period of not less than one hundred and eighty (180) days (or such shorter period in which all Registrable Securities have been sold in accordance with the methods of distribution set forth in the Registration Statement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may (A) terminate a Proposed Registration and discontinue its efforts to cause a Registration Statement to become effective as to any and all Registrable Securities that would have otherwise been eligible for inclusion therein, (B) defer the filing of a Registration Statement, or (C) suspend the use of a prospectus under a Registration Statement on Form S-3 for a period not to exceed 60 days in succession or 120 days in the aggregate in any twelve-month period, in the case of clause (C) if the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that because of bona fide business reasons (not including the avoidance of the Company’s obligations hereunder), including the acquisition or divestiture of assets, pending corporate developments and similar events, it is in the best interests of the Company to suspend the use of such prospectus, and prior to suspending such use, the Company provides the Participating Holders with written notice of such suspension, which notice need not specify the nature of the event giving rise to such delay or suspension;

 

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(ii)         Participation in Preparation. Provide any Participating Holder, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a Registration Statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any Participating Holder or underwriter (each, an “Inspector” and, collectively, the “Inspectors”), the opportunity to participate (including, but not limited to, reviewing, commenting on and attending all meetings) in the preparation of such Registration Statement, each prospectus included therein or filed with the SEC and each amendment or supplement thereto;

 

(iii)        Due Diligence. For a reasonable period prior to the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement, make available for inspection and copying by the Inspectors such financial and other information and books and records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries and cause the officers, directors, employees, counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company and its subsidiaries to respond to such inquiries and to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement, as shall be reasonably necessary, in the judgment of the respective counsel referred to in Section 2.7(a)(ii), to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act;

 

(iv)        General Notifications. Promptly notify in writing the Participating Holders, the sales or placement agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriter of the securities being sold, (A) when such Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or any prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) when the SEC notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of such Registration Statement, (C) of any comments (oral or written) by the SEC and by the blue sky or securities commissioner or regulator of any state with respect thereto and (D) of any request by the SEC for any amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement or the prospectus or for additional information;

 

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(v)         10b-5 Notification. Promptly notify in writing the Participating Holders, the sales or placement agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriter of the securities being sold pursuant to any Registration Statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act upon discovery that, or upon the happening of any event as a result of which, any prospectus included in such Registration Statement (or amendment or supplement thereto) contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made, and the Company shall promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus and file it with the SEC (in any event no later than ten (10) days following notice of the occurrence of such event to each Participating Holder, the sales or placement agent and the managing underwriter) so that after delivery of such prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made;

 

(vi)        Notification of Stop Orders; Suspensions of Qualifications and Exemptions. Promptly notify in writing the Participating Holders, the sales or placement agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriter of the securities being sold of the issuance by the SEC of (A) any stop order issued or threatened to be issued by the SEC or (B) any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and the Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to (x) prevent the issuance of any such stop order, and in the event of such issuance, to obtain the withdrawal of any such stop order and (y) obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of any Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest practicable date;

 

(vii)       Amendments and Supplements; Acceleration. Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments, including post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable time period required hereunder and, if applicable, file any Registration Statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act; cause the related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) promulgated under the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in such prospectus as so supplemented. If a majority in interest of the Participating Holders so request, request acceleration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement from the SEC and any post-effective amendments thereto, if any are filed; provided that at the time of such request, the Company does not in good faith believe that it is necessary to amend further the Registration Statement in order to comply with the provisions of this subparagraph. If the Company wishes to further amend the Registration Statement prior to requesting acceleration, it shall have five (5) days to so amend prior to requesting acceleration;

 

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(viii)      Copies. Furnish as promptly as practicable to each Participating Holder and Inspector prior to filing a Registration Statement or any supplement or amendment thereto, copies of such Registration Statement, supplement or amendment as it is proposed to be filed, and after such filing such number of copies of such Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto), the prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as each such Participating Holder or underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Participating Holder;

 

(ix)         Blue Sky. Use its reasonable best efforts to, prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities, register or qualify (or seek an exemption from registration or qualifications) such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Participating Holder or underwriter may request, and to continue such qualification in effect in each such jurisdiction for as long as is permissible pursuant to the laws of such jurisdiction, or for as long as a Participating Holder or underwriter requests or until all of such Registrable Securities are sold, whichever is shortest, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable any Participating Holder to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities;

 

(x)          Other Approvals. Use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all other approvals, consents, exemptions or authorizations from such governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the Participating Holders and underwriters to consummate the disposition of Registrable Securities;

 

(xi)         Agreements. Enter into customary agreements (including any underwriting agreements in customary form), and take such other actions as may be reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities;

 

(xii)        Cold Comfort” Letter. Obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the Participating Holders;

 

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(xiii)       Legal Opinion. Furnish, at the request of any underwriter of Registrable Securities on the date such securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale pursuant to such registration, an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, addressed to the Holders, and the placement agent or sales agent, if any, thereof and the underwriters, if any, thereof, covering such legal matters with respect to the registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as such underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the Participating Holders;

 

(xiv)      SEC Compliance; Earnings Statement. Use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make available to its shareholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, but no later than fifteen (15) months after the effective date of any Registration Statement, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve (12) months beginning after the effective date of such Registration Statement, in a manner which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

 

(xv)       Certificates; Closing. Provide officers’ certificates and other customary closing documents;

 

(xvi)      FINRA. Cooperate with each Participating Holder and each underwriter participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and underwriters’ counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA;

 

(xvii)     Reserved.

 

(xviii)    Listing. Use its reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and if not so listed, to be listed on the NASDAQ automated quotation system;

 

(xix)       Transfer Agent, Registrar and CUSIP. Provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant hereto and a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case, no later than the effective date of such registration;

 

(xx)        Private Sales. Use its reasonable best efforts to assist a Holder in facilitating private sales of Registrable Securities by, among other things, providing officers’ certificates and other customary closing documents reasonably requested by a Holder; and

 

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(xxi)       Reasonable Best Efforts. Use its reasonable best efforts to take all other actions necessary to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.

 

(b)          Seller Information. The Company may require each Participating Holder as to which any registration of such Holder’s Registrable Securities is being effected to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and such Holder’s method of distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing. If a Holder refuses to provide the Company with any of such information on the grounds that it is not necessary to include such information in the Registration Statement, the Company may exclude such Participating Holder’s Registrable Securities from the Registration Statement if the Company provides such Participating Holder with an opinion of counsel to the effect that such information must be included in the Registration Statement and such Participating Holder continues thereafter to withhold such information. The exclusion of a Participating Holder’s Registrable Securities shall not affect the registration of the other Registrable Securities to be included in the Registration Statement.

 

(c)          Notice to Discontinue. Each Participating Holder whose Registrable Securities are covered by a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement agrees that, upon receipt of written notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.7(a)(v), such Participating Holder shall forthwith discontinue the disposition of Registrable Securities until such Participating Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 2.7(a)(v) or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the prospectus may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference into the prospectus, and, if so directed by the Company in the case of an event described in Section 2.7(a)(v), such Participating Holder shall deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Participating Holder’s possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities which is current at the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company shall give any such notice, the Company shall extend the period during which such Registration Statement is to be maintained effective by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 2.7(a)(v) to and including the date when the Participating Holder shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by, and meeting the requirements of, Section 2.7(a)(v).

 

Section 2.8          REGISTRATION EXPENSES. Except as otherwise provided herein, all Registration Expenses shall be borne by the Company. All Selling Expenses relating to Registrable Securities registered shall be borne by the Participating Holders of such Registrable Securities pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities so registered.

 

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Section 2.9          INDEMNIFICATION.

 

(a)          Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees, notwithstanding termination of this Agreement, to indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder, each of their directors, officers, employees, advisors, agents and general or limited partners (and the directors, officers, employees, advisors and agents thereof), their respective Affiliates and each Person who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) any of such Persons, and each underwriter and each Person who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) any underwriter (collectively, “Holder Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable costs of investigation and fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel, any amounts paid in settlement effected with the Company’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and any costs incurred in enforcing the Company’s indemnification obligations hereunder) or other liabilities (collectively, “Losses”) to which any such Holder Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, Exchange Act, any other federal law, any state or common law or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) are resulting from or arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus (as amended or supplemented) or any document incorporated by reference in any of the foregoing or resulting from or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading or (ii) any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, Exchange Act, any other federal law, any state or common law or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder or otherwise incident to any registration, qualification or compliance and in any such case, the Company will promptly reimburse each such Holder Indemnified Party for any legal expenses and any other Losses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating, preparing or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability, action or investigation or proceeding (collectively, a “Claim”). Such indemnity obligation shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Holder Indemnified Parties and shall survive the transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder Indemnified Parties.

 

(b)          Indemnification by Holders. In connection with any proposed registration in which a Holder is participating pursuant to this Agreement, each such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information with respect to such Holder as the Company may reasonably request or as may be required by law for use in connection with any Registration Statement or prospectus or preliminary prospectus to be used in connection with such registration and each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, any underwriter retained by the Company and their respective directors, officers, partners, employees, advisors and agents, their respective Affiliates and each Person who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) any of such Persons to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the Holder Indemnified Parties as set forth in Section 2.9(a) (subject to the exceptions set forth in the foregoing indemnity, the proviso to this sentence and applicable law), but only with respect to any such information furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 2.9(b) shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in the offering giving rise to such liability. Such indemnity obligation shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Holder Indemnified Parties (except as provided above) and shall survive the transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder.

 

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(c)          Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder (the “Indemnified Party”) agrees to give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party (the “Indemnifying Party”) after the receipt by the Indemnified Party of any written notice of the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation or threat thereof made in writing for which the Indemnified Party intends to claim indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that, the failure so to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any liability that it may have to the Indemnified Party hereunder unless and to the extent such Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure. If notice of commencement of any such action is given to the Indemnifying Party as above provided, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it may wish, jointly with any other Indemnifying Party similarly notified, to assume the defense of such action at its own expense, with counsel chosen by it and reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid by the Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party agrees to pay the same, (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails to assume the defense of such action with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party in its reasonable judgment or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including, but not limited to, any impleaded parties) reasonably believe that the representation of such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct. In the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such Indemnified Party. No Indemnifying Party shall be liable for any settlement entered into without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (A) includes an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (B) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party. The rights afforded to any Indemnified Party hereunder shall be in addition to any rights that such Indemnified Party may have at common law, by separate agreement or otherwise.

 

(d)          Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.9 from the Indemnifying Party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified Party in respect of any Losses referred to herein, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying the Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative faults of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the Indemnifying Party’s and Indemnified Party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 2.9(d) shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in the offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the Losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 2.9, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.  The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.9(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 2.9(d).

 

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Section 2.10         RULE 144; OTHER EXEMPTIONS. With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and other rules and regulations of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the Company covenants that it shall (i) file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder and (ii) take such further action as each Holder may reasonably request (including, but not limited to, providing any information necessary to comply with Rule 144, if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act), at all times from and after the date hereof, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (x) Rule 144 (if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities) under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time or (y) any other rules or regulations now existing or hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the written request of a Holder, the Company shall deliver to the Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

Section 2.11         CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON REGISTRATION RIGHTS. No Holder may participate in any Registration Statement hereunder unless such Holder completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements, and agrees to sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting agreement approved by the Holder or Holders entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements; provided, however, that no such Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters in connection with any such registration other than representations and warranties as to (i) such Holder’s ownership of its Registrable Securities to be sold or transferred, (ii) such Holder’s power and authority to effect such transfer and (iii) such matters pertaining to compliance with applicable securities laws as may be reasonably requested. Such Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold by such underwriters may, at their option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters, shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holders and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of the underwriters under the underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of the Holders.

 

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Section 2.12         TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. The rights of a Holder hereunder may be transferred or assigned in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities to (i) any Affiliate of a Holder, (ii) any subsidiary, parent, partner, retired partner, limited partner, shareholder or member of a Holder, (iii) any family member or trust for the benefit of any Holder or (iv) any transferee who, after such transfer, holds at least one thousand (1,000) Registrable Securities (as adjusted for any stock dividends, stock splits, combinations and reorganizations and similar events). Notwithstanding the foregoing, such rights may only be transferred or assigned provided that all of the following additional conditions are satisfied: (a) such transfer or assignment is effected in accordance with applicable securities laws; (b) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to become subject to the terms of this Agreement; and (c) the Company is given written notice by such Holder of such transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of the transferee or assignee and identifying the Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred or assigned.

 

Article III

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 3.1           ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and any certificates, documents, instruments and writings that are delivered pursuant hereto, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 3.2           ASSIGNMENT; BINDING EFFECT. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.12, no party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other parties. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

Section 3.3           NOTICES. All notices, requests and other communications provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and shall be given by personal delivery, by certified or registered United States mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or by facsimile transmission, to the address listed for each party in the Transaction Agreement or the Commitment Agreement, as applicable (or to such other address as any party may give in a notice given in accordance with the provisions hereof). All notices, requests or other communications will be effective and deemed given only as follows: (i) if given by personal delivery, upon such personal delivery, (ii) if sent by certified or registered mail, on the fifth business day after being deposited in the United States mail, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by overnight delivery service, on the date of delivery as confirmed by written confirmation of delivery, (iv) if sent by facsimile, upon the transmitter’s confirmation of receipt of such facsimile transmission, except that if such confirmation is received after 5:00 p.m. (in the recipient’s time zone) on a business day, or is received on a day that is not a business day, then such notice, request or communication will not be deemed effective or given until the next succeeding business day. Notices, requests and other communications sent in any other manner, including by electronic mail, will not be effective.

 

- 14 -
 

 

Section 3.4          SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE; REMEDIES. Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other parties would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its provisions in any action or proceeding instituted in any state or federal court sitting in New York City, New York having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, the rights, obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein will be considered an election of remedies.

 

Section 3.5          SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

 

(a)          Submission to Jurisdiction. Any action, suit or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall only be brought in any state or federal court sitting in New York City, New York, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such action, suit or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such, action, suit or proceeding in any such court or that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing, service of process on such party as provided in Section 3.5 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party.

 

(b)          Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ANY DISPUTE THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE SUCH PARTY HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL OF ANY DISPUTE BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS RELATING HERETO OR ANY DEALINGS AMONG THEM RELATING TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO ENCOMPASS ANY AND ALL ACTIONS, SUITS AND PROCEEDINGS THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY REPRESENTS THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND WITH THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL HAS  CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND REPRESENTATIONS IN THIS SECTION 3.5(b).

 

- 15 -
 

 

Section 3.6           GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law principles.

 

Section 3.7           HEADINGS. The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.8           AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may not be amended or modified without the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities then outstanding; provided, however, that any amendment or modification that adversely affects the rights of one or more Holders of Registrable Securities under this Agreement, in their capacity as such, in a manner that is materially different from the manner in which such amendment or modification affects the rights of other Holders of Registrable Securities under this Agreement, in their capacity as such, shall require the consent of each such adversely affected Holder.

 

Section 3.9           EXTENSIONS; WAIVERS. Any party may, for itself only, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.

 

Section 3.10         SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, is judicially determined not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties agree that the court judicially making such determination may modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its modified form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.

 

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Section 3.11         COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties. For purposes of determining whether a party has signed this Agreement or any document contemplated hereby or any amendment or waiver hereof, only a handwritten original signature on a paper document or a facsimile copy of such a handwritten original signature shall constitute a signature, notwithstanding any law relating to or enabling the creation, execution or delivery of any contract or signature by electronic means.

 

Section 3.12         CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be deemed to refer to such law as in effect on the date hereof and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party has breached any covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first covenant. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.13         ATTORNEYS’ FEES. If any dispute among any parties arises in connection with this Agreement, the prevailing party in the resolution of such dispute in any action or proceeding will be entitled to an order awarding full recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, costs and expenses (including experts’ fees and expenses and the costs of enforcing this Section 3.13) incurred in connection therewith, including court costs, from the non-prevailing party.

 

Section 3.14         ADJUSTMENTS FOR STOCK SPLITS, ETC.. Wherever in this Agreement there is a reference to a specific number of shares of the Company’s capital stock of any class or series, then, upon the occurrence of any subdivision, combination or stock dividend of such class or series of stock, the specific number of shares so referenced in this Agreement will automatically be proportionally adjusted to reflect the effect of such subdivision, combination or stock dividend on the outstanding shares of such class or series of stock.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  THIRD POINT PARTNERS L.P.
     
  By: Third Point LLC, the investment manager
     
  By: /s/Josh Targoff
    Name: Josh Targoff
    Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel
     
  THIRD POINT PARTNERS QUALIFIED L.P.
     
  By: Third Point LLC, the investment manager
     
  By: /s/Josh Targoff
    Name: Josh Targoff
    Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel
     
  THIRD POINT OFFSHORE MASTER FUND L.P.
     
  By: Third Point LLC, the investment manager
     
  By: /s/Josh Targoff
    Name: Josh Targoff
    Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

 

  THIRD POINT ULTRA MASTER FUND L.P.
     
  By: Third Point LLC, the investment manager
     
  By: /s/Josh Targoff
    Name: Josh Targoff
    Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel
     
  THIRD POINT REINSURANCE COMPANY LTD.
     
  By: Third Point LLC, the investment manager
     
  By: /s/Josh Targoff
    Name: Josh Targoff
    Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
 

  

  GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ James R. Brickman
    Name: James R. Brickman
    Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 

 

 



 

Exhibit 10.7

 

[Execution Version]

 

LOAN AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

Green Brick Partners, Inc.

 

and

 

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 

and

 

Greenlight ape, llc,

 

as Administrative Agent

 

October 27, 2014

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page
       
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS 2
1.1 Certain Definitions 2
1.2 Construction 22
  1.2.1 Number; Inclusion 22
  1.2.2 Determination 22
  1.2.3 Documents Taken as a Whole 22
  1.2.4 Headings 22
  1.2.5 Implied References to this Agreement 22
  1.2.6 Persons 22
  1.2.7 Modifications to Documents 22
  1.2.8 From, To and Through 22
  1.2.9 Shall; Will 22
1.3 Accounting Principles 22
1.4 Concerning Corporate Terms 23
       
2. TERM FACILITY 23
2.1 Term Loan Commitment 23
2.2 Nature of Lenders’ Obligations with Respect to the Term Loan 23
2.3 Making the Term Loan 23
2.4 Notes 23
       
3. INTEREST RATES 23
3.1 Interest Rate 23
3.2 Interest After Default 24
3.3 Interest Rate Limitation 24
       
4. PAYMENTS 24
4.1 Payments 24
4.2 Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders 24
4.3 Payment Dates 25
  4.3.1 Interest Payment Dates 25
  4.3.2 Principal Payment Date 25
4.4 Voluntary Prepayments 25
4.5 Mandatory Prepayments 25
  4.5.1 Debt Issuances 25
  4.5.2 Equity Issuances 26
4.6 Prepayment Notices 26
4.7 Waivable Mandatory Prepayments 26
4.8 Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances 27
  4.8.1 Increased Costs or Reduced Return Resulting from Taxes, Expenses, Etc. 27
  4.8.2 Losses Caused by Borrower 27
  4.8.3 Mitigation Obligation 28

 

i
 

 

4.9 INDEMNIFICATION BY BORROWER 28
       
5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 29
5.1 Representations and Warranties 29
  5.1.1 Organization and Qualification 29
  5.1.2 Ventures and Subsidiaries; Outstanding Stock 29
  5.1.3 Power and Authority 30
  5.1.4 Validity and Binding Effect 30
  5.1.5 No Conflict 30
  5.1.6 Federal Reserve Regulations 30
  5.1.7 Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Export Controls and Anti-Money Laundering 31
  5.1.8 Patriot Act 31
  5.1.9 No Event of Default; Compliance with Instruments 31
  5.1.10 Investment Company Act 32
  5.1.11 Solvency 32
  5.1.12 Security Documents 32
       
6. CONDITIONS OF LENDING 33
6.1 Closing Date Loan 33
  6.1.1 Loan Agreement 33
  6.1.2 Security Documents 33
  6.1.3 Representations and Warranties 34
  6.1.4 Officer’s Certificates 34
  6.1.5 Secretary’s Certificate 34
  6.1.6 Closing Date Acquisition 35
  6.1.7 Rights Offering and Common Stock Issuance 35
  6.1.8 Indebtedness and Liens 35
  6.1.9 Opinion of Counsel 35
  6.1.10 Insurance Certificates 35
  6.1.11 Payment of Costs and Expenses 36
  6.1.12 Patriot Act 36
       
7. COVENANTS 36
7.1 Affirmative Covenants 36
  7.1.1 Preservation of Existence, Etc. 36
  7.1.2 Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, Etc. 36
  7.1.3 Maintenance of Insurance 37
  7.1.4 Visitation Rights 37
  7.1.5 Keeping of Records and Books of Account 37
  7.1.6 Compliance with Laws 37
  7.1.7 Use of Proceeds 38
  7.1.8 Further Assurances; Additional Security 38
  7.1.9 Environmental Compliance 40
  7.1.10 Accounting and Financial Management 40
7.2 Negative Covenants 40
  7.2.1 Indebtedness 40

 

ii
 

 

  7.2.2 Liens 42
  7.2.3 Loans and Investments 42
  7.2.4 Dividends and Related Distributions 43
  7.2.5 Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions 43
  7.2.6 Dispositions of Assets or Subsidiaries 43
  7.2.7 Affiliate Transactions 44
  7.2.8 Continuation of or Change in Business 44
  7.2.9 Fiscal Year 44
  7.2.10 Issuance of Stock 44
  7.2.11 Changes in Documents 45
  7.2.12 Inconsistent Agreements 45
  7.2.13 ERISA 45
  7.2.14 Foreign Subsidiaries 45
  7.2.15 Hedging Arrangements 45
  7.2.16 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio 45
7.3 Reporting Requirements 46
  7.3.1 Quarterly Financial Statements 46
  7.3.2 Annual Financial Statements 46
  7.3.3 Certificates of Borrower 46
  7.3.4 Notice of Default 47
  7.3.5 Certain Events 47
  7.3.6 Other Information 48
  7.3.7 Annual Budget 48
       
8. DEFAULT 48
8.1 Events of Default 48
  8.1.1 Payments Under Loan Documents 48
  8.1.2 Breach of Warranty 48
  8.1.3 Breach of Certain Covenants 48
  8.1.4 Breach of Other Covenants 48
  8.1.5 Defaults in Other Agreements or Indebtedness 49
  8.1.6 Final Judgments or Orders 49
  8.1.7 Loan Document Unenforceable 49
  8.1.8 Insolvency 50
  8.1.9 Cessation of Business 50
  8.1.10 Change of Control 50
  8.1.11 ERISA Event 50
  8.1.12 Involuntary Proceedings 50
  8.1.13 Voluntary Proceedings 50
8.2 Consequences of Event of Default 50
  8.2.1 Events of Default Other Than Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings 50
  8.2.2 Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings 51
  8.2.3 Suits, Actions, Proceedings 51
  8.2.4 Application of Proceeds 51
  8.2.5 Other Rights and Remedies 52

 

iii
 

 

9. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT and the Collateral Agent 52
9.1 Appointment 52
9.2 Duties; Delegation of Duties 52
  9.2.1 Collateral Matters 52
  9.2.2 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim 53
9.3 Nature of Duties; Independent Credit Investigation 53
9.4 Actions in Discretion of Agents; Instructions From the Lenders 54
9.5 Exculpatory Provisions; Limitation of Liability 54
9.6 Reimbursement and Indemnification of Agents by Lenders 55
9.7 Reliance by Agents 55
9.8 Notice of Default 55
9.9 Notices 56
9.10 Lenders and Agents in Their Individual Capacities 56
9.11 Holders of Notes 56
9.12 Equalization of Lenders 56
9.13 Successor Agent 57
9.14 Availability of Funds 57
9.15 Calculations 57
9.16 Beneficiaries 57
       
10. MISCELLANEOUS 58
10.1 Modifications, Amendments or Waivers 58
  10.1.1 Extension of Payment; Reduction of Principal, Interest or Fees; Modification of Terms of Payment 58
  10.1.2 Release of Collateral 58
  10.1.3 Miscellaneous 58
10.2 No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies; Writing Required 58
10.3 Reimbursement and Indemnification of Lenders by Borrower; Taxes 59
10.4 Holidays 60
10.5 Notices 60
10.6 Severability 61
10.7 Governing Law 61
10.8 Prior Understanding 61
10.9 Duration; Survival 61
10.10 Successors and Assigns 61
10.11 Confidentiality 63
  10.11.1 General 63
  10.11.2 Sharing Information with Affiliates of the Lenders 64
  10.11.3 Nonliability of Lenders 64
10.12 Counterparts 65
10.13 Administrative Agent’s or Lender’s Consent 65
10.14 Exceptions 65
10.15 CONSENT TO FORUM; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 65
10.16 Tax Withholding Clause 66
10.17 No Reliance on Administrative Agent’s Customer Identification Program 67

 

iv
 

 

LIST OF SCHEDULES

 

SCHEDULES

 

SCHEDULE 1.1(A) COMMITMENTS OF LENDERS
     
Schedule 5.1.2 Ventures and Subsidiaries; Outstanding Stock
     
Schedule 7.2.1 Indebtedness
     
Schedule 7.2.2 Liens
     
Schedule 7.2.3 Loans and Investments
     
SCHEDULE 7.2.7 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

 

v
 

  

LOAN AGREEMENT

 

THIS LOAN AGREEMENT dated October 27, 2014, is entered into by and among Green Brick Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), the lenders listed as lenders on Schedule 1.1(A) attached hereto (the “Lenders”), and Greenlight APE, LLC, as administrative agent (together with any successor administrative agent appointed pursuant hereto, in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and as collateral agent (together with any successor collateral agent appointed pursuant hereto, in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) for the Lenders under this Agreement.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, reference is made to the Transaction Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2014 (together with the exhibits and disclosure schedules thereto, the “Transaction Agreement”), by and among Borrower, the sellers party thereto (“Sellers”) and the acquired companies party thereto (the “Acquired Companies”), pursuant to which Sellers have agreed to sell, and Borrower has agreed to acquire (the “Closing Date Acquisition”), 100% of the Capital Stock of the Acquired Companies;

 

WHEREAS, the consideration for the Closing Date Acquisition is a combination of cash and the issuance of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Borrower (the “Common Stock”) to Sellers (the “Common Stock Issuance”);

 

WHEREAS, prior to and contingent upon the consummation of the Closing Date Acquisition, Borrower will conduct a rights offering for shares of its Common Stock to raise, collectively with the transactions contemplated by Section 9(b) of the Voting Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Backstop Agreements, at least $70,000,000 (the “Rights Offering” and, together with the Closing Date Acquisition, the Common Stock Issuance and the financing pursuant to this Agreement, collectively, the “Transactions”);

 

WHEREAS, the Closing Date Acquisition will be financed in part by the proceeds of the Rights Offering and from the financing pursuant to this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, Borrower has requested, and the Lenders have agreed to make available to Borrower, a term loan in an aggregate principal amount of $150,000,000 upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement to (i) fund a portion of the Closing Date Acquisition as provided in the Transaction Agreement, (ii) pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and the funding of the Loan and (iii) provide for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes of Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, in consideration of their mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and intending to be legally bound hereby, covenant and agree as follows:

 

 
 

 

1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

1.1         Certain Definitions.  In addition to words and terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, respectively:

 

Account” shall mean, as at any date of determination, all “accounts” (as such term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) of the Borrower Affiliate Parties, including, without limitation, the unpaid portion of the obligation of a customer of a Borrower Affiliate Party in respect of Inventory purchased by and shipped to such customer and/or the rendition of services by a Borrower Affiliate Party, as stated on the respective invoice of a Borrower Affiliate Party, net of any credits, rebates or offsets owed to such customer.

 

Acquired Companies” shall mean the entities listed on Schedule I to the Transaction Agreement.

 

Additional Mortgage” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Collateral and Guaranty Requirement”.

 

Additional Real Property” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Collateral and Guaranty Requirement”.

 

Administrative Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Affiliate” as to any Person shall mean any other Person (i) which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, (ii) which beneficially owns or holds 10% or more of any class of the voting or other Capital Stock of such Person, (iii) 10% or more of any class of voting interests or other Capital Stock of which is beneficially owned or held, directly or indirectly, by such Person; or (iv) with respect to any Lender, any entity administered or managed by such Lender or an Affiliate or investment advisor thereof.  Control, as used in this definition, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, including the power to elect a majority of the directors or trustees of a corporation or trust, as the case may be.

 

Agents” shall mean the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent; and “Agent” shall mean any of them, as the context may require.

 

Agreement” shall mean this Loan Agreement, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.1.6.

 

Anti-Terrorism Law” shall mean the Laws referred to, directly or indirectly, in Section 10.17 and Executive Order 13224.

 

2
 

 

Authorized Officer” shall mean Borrower’s President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and those individuals, designated by written notice to the Administrative Agent from Borrower, authorized to execute notices, reports and other documents on behalf of Borrower required hereunder.  Borrower may amend such list of individuals from time to time by giving written notice of such amendment to the Administrative Agent.

 

Backstop Agreements” shall have the meaning specified in the Transaction Agreement.

 

Board” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

Borrower” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Borrower Affiliate Parties” shall mean Borrower and all of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, and “Borrower Affiliate Party” shall mean any of them.

 

Borrowing Date” shall mean, with respect to the Loan, the Closing Date.

 

Builder Subsidiaries” shall mean The Providence Group of Georgia, LLC, CB JENI Homes of DFW LLC, Southgate Homes DFW, LLC, JBGL A&A, LLC and each of their respective subsidiaries.

 

Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday on which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed for business in New York, New York.

 

Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person shall mean the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for purposes hereof, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Capital Stock” of any Person shall mean any and all shares, units, interests, rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity or ownership of such Person, including any preferred stock, any limited or general partnership interest and any limited liability company membership interest, and any securities or other rights or interests convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing.

 

Change of Control” shall mean:

 

(i)          at any time, any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than one or more Permitted Holders, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire (such right, an “option right”), whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the voting power of the Common Stock on a Fully Diluted Basis of Borrower;

 

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(ii)         during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors of Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to the board was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of the board, (iii) whose election or nomination to the board was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of the board or (iv) whose election or nomination was approved by one or more Permitted Holders (excluding, in the case of both clause (ii) and clause (iii), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of the board occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors); or

 

(iii)        any Person (other than a Permitted Holder) or two or more Persons (none of whom are Permitted Holders) acting in concert shall have acquired by contract or otherwise, or shall have entered into a contract or arrangement that, upon consummation thereof, will result in its or their acquisition of the power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of Borrower, or control over the Common Stock on a Fully Diluted Basis (and taking into account all such securities that such Person(s) or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right) representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of such securities.

 

CIP Regulations” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 10.17.

 

Closing Date” shall mean the date hereof.

 

Closing Date Acquisition” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Closing Transaction Costs” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 5.1.11.

 

Collateral” shall mean all “Collateral” referred to in the Security Documents and all other property that is or is intended to be subject to any Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent or any sub-agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

Collateral Agent” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Collateral and Guaranty Requirement” shall mean, at any time, the requirement that (in each case, subject to Sections 6.1.2 and 7.1.8(f)):

 

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(a)          (i) all Indebtedness of Borrower and each Subsidiary (other than (x) intercompany Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations and intercompany sales of Borrower and each Subsidiary or (y) to the extent that a pledge of such promissory note or instrument would violate applicable Law) that is owing to any Loan Party (A) shall be evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (B) shall have been pledged pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement (or other applicable Security Document) and (ii) the Collateral Agent shall have received all such promissory notes or instruments, together with note powers or other instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank (other than with respect to any such intercompany debt the perfection of the pledge of which does not require delivery to the Collateral Agent);

 

(b)          except as otherwise contemplated by any Security Document (including with regard to deposit accounts), all documents and instruments (including, in the United States of America, filings of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and filings with the United States Copyright Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office) and all other actions required by law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to be filed, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents (in each case, including any supplements thereto) and perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Security Documents, shall have been filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing, registration or recording, or taken concurrently with or promptly following the execution and delivery of each such Security Document;

 

(c)          in the case of any real property acquired after the Closing Date and to the extent required pursuant to Section 7.1.8 (each, an “Additional Real Property”), the following requirements shall have been satisfied, in each case, on or prior to the date required pursuant to Section 7.1.8:

 

(i) the Collateral Agent shall have received a Mortgage (each, an “Additional Mortgage”), duly authorized and executed, and in form for recording in the recording office of each jurisdiction where such Additional Real Property to be encumbered thereby is situated, in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the Secured Parties, together with such other instruments as shall be necessary or appropriate (in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent) to create a valid and enforceable Lien, subject to no other Liens except as are permitted by Section 7.2.2 or arising by operation of law, all of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

(ii) at the time of perfection thereof, Borrower shall record or file, and/or cause each such Loan Party to record or file, the Additional Mortgage or instruments related thereto in such manner and in such places as is required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and protect the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent required to be granted pursuant to the Additional Mortgages and pay, and cause each such Loan Party to pay, in full, all Taxes, fees and other charges payable in connection therewith;

 

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(iii) the Collateral Agent shall have received policies or certificates of insurance (including flood insurance) to the extent customary and obtainable after the use of commercially reasonable efforts, it being understood that in any event the items required pursuant to this clause (iii) shall be required to be delivered prior to or on the day on which Mortgages are delivered pursuant to clause (i) above with respect to each Mortgaged Property;

 

(iv) with respect to each Additional Mortgage, the Collateral Agent shall have received a mortgagee’s title insurance policy or signed commitment to issue such policy in favor of the Collateral Agent, as mortgagee, in amounts and in form and substance and issued by insurers, in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, with respect to each Additional Real Property, insuring the Lien of each such Additional Mortgage as a valid first-priority Lien or a valid Lien with other priority as required by a restriction permitted by Section 7.2.12(x) or otherwise agreed to by the Collateral Agent on the Mortgaged Property described therein, free of any other Liens except as expressly permitted by Section 7.2.2, together with such endorsements, coinsurance and reinsurance as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and a survey or, in the case of an individual building lot for a single-family residence, a copy of a recorded plat or map of such lot; and

 

(v) with respect to each Additional Mortgage, if requested by the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent shall have received an opinion of counsel to the Loan Parties in each jurisdiction where a Mortgaged Property is located, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent; and

 

(d)        except as set forth pursuant to any Security Document, each Loan Party shall have obtained all consents and approvals required to be obtained by it in connection with (i) the execution and delivery of all Security Documents (or supplements thereto) to which it is a party and the granting by it of the Liens thereunder and (ii) the performance of its obligations thereunder; and

 

(e)          in the case of any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received from such Loan Party, (A) a supplement to the Pledge and Security Agreement and a supplement to the Guaranty Agreement, each in the form specified therein, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person, (B) such other Security Documents as may be required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.8, and (C) evidence that any other requirements of Section 7.1.8 shall have been complied with.

 

Commitment” shall mean, as to any Lender at any time, the amount set forth opposite its name on Schedule 1.1(A), and “Commitments” shall mean the aggregate Commitments of all of the Lenders; provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, following the Closing Date, the amount of aggregate Commitments of all Lenders shall be equal to $0.

 

Common Stock” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

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Common Stock Issuance” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Consolidated Capital Expenditures” shall mean, with respect to any Person, for any period, the aggregate amount incurred that would, in accordance with GAAP, be classified as capital expenditures on a consolidated statement of cash flows of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period.

 

Consolidated Cash Interest Expense” shall mean, with respect to Borrower and its Subsidiaries, gross interest expense for such period paid or required to be paid in cash (including all commissions, discounts, fees and other charges in connection with letters of credit and similar instruments, but excluding (i) net of amounts paid or payable and/or received or receivable under hedging contracts in respect of interest rates, (ii) the amortized amount of debt discount and debt issuance costs, (iii) interest paid or payable by the issuance of payment-in-kind notes or other Indebtedness and (iv) other non-cash interest) minus interest income for such period.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” shall mean the net income (or loss) for the applicable period of measurement of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP;

 

(A)         but excluding: (a) the income (or loss) of any Person (other than Builder Subsidiaries, the income (or loss) of which shall not be excluded) in which any other Person (other than Borrower or any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries) has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income has been actually received in cash by a Loan Party or a Subsidiary during such period; (b) non-cash gains or losses from the sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of Property or assets not in the ordinary course of business of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and related tax effects in accordance with GAAP; (c) any other extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains or losses of Borrower or its Subsidiaries and related tax effects in accordance with GAAP; and (d) gains or losses (whether or not realized) with respect to obligations under hedging agreements;

 

(B)         plus, without duplication and to the extent reflected as a charge in the statement of such net income for such period: (a) all amounts deducted in calculating such net income (or loss) for depreciation or amortization for such period; (b) gross interest expense (less interest income) deducted in calculating such net income (or loss) for such period; (c) all accrued taxes on or measured by income to the extent deducted in calculating such net income (or loss) for such period; (d) all non-cash losses or expenses (or minus non-cash income or gain) included or deducted in calculating such net income (or loss) for such period, including, without limitation, (i) non-cash compensation expense, (ii) write-offs and write-downs (other than in respect of Accounts or Inventory) and (iii) losses from early extinguishment of debt; (e) fees and expenses incurred in connection with the closing of the Transactions to the extent deducted in calculating such net income (or loss) for such period; (f) all proceeds of business interruption insurance to the extent not already included in determining such net income (or loss) for such period; (g) any reduction in such net income arising from any purchase accounting adjustments arising as a result of the Transactions to the extent deducted in calculating such net income (or loss) for such period; and (h) upfront fees and expenses payable in connection with the issuance of any Capital Stock or Capital Stock equivalents permitted hereunder, or the incurrence of debt permitted hereunder (in each case whether or not consummated) to the extent deducted in calculating such net income (or loss) for such period; and

 

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(C)         plus, without duplication and to the extent deducted in calculating such net income for such period, the Closing Transaction Costs.

 

For purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA as of any date of measurement ending on or before June 30, 2015, Consolidated EBITDA for: (a) the calendar quarter ending March 31, 2014 shall be deemed to equal $7,993,190, (b) the calendar quarter ending June 30, 2014 shall be deemed to equal $8,056,782 and (c) the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2014 shall be deemed to equal $4,462,888.

 

Copyright Security Agreement” shall have the meaning specified in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

Declined Proceeds” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 4.7.

 

Debt Service Amount” shall have the meaning provided for in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”.

 

Default” shall mean any event or condition which with notice, passage of time or any combination of the foregoing would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Default Rate” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 3.2.

 

Dollar, Dollars”, “U.S. Dollars” and the symbol “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Dormant Subsidiaries” shall mean any and all of BFE Holdings, LLC, BFE Operating Company, LLC, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC, Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC, Oregon Trail Energy, LLC, Wagon Wheel Energy, LLC and Gilman Trail Energy, LLC.

 

Environmental Claim” shall mean, with respect to any Person, (i) any notice, claim, administrative, regulatory or judicial or equitable action, suit, Lien, judgment or demand by any other Person or (ii) any other written communication by any Official Body, in either case alleging or asserting such Person’s liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs, consultants’ fees, governmental response costs, damages to natural resources (including, without limitation, wetlands, wildlife, aquatic and terrestrial species and vegetation) or other Property, property damages or personal injuries, or seeking injunctive relief, fines or penalties arising out of, based on or resulting from (x) the presence, or Release into the environment, of any Hazardous Material at any location, whether or not owned by such Person or (y) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Law or Governmental Approval issued under any Environmental Law.

 

Environmental Law” shall mean any and all laws relating to protection of the environment or to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, petrochemicals or petroleum, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment including ambient air, surface water, ground water or land or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.

 

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ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any entity with which an entity is considered a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

ERISA Event” shall mean (a) any Reportable Event; (b) the failure of any Plan to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 or 430 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 or 303 of ERISA, whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 303(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (d) the incurrence by Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention, or the institution by the PBGC of proceedings, to terminate any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (g) the receipt by Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in “critical” or “endangered” status within the meaning of Section 432 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 305 of ERISA; or (h) the imposition of liability on Borrower, a Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of Section 4212(c) of ERISA.

 

Events of Default” shall mean any of the events described in Section 8.1 and referred to therein as an “Event of Default.”

 

Fair Market Value” shall mean, with respect to any asset or property, the price that could be negotiated in an arms’-length transaction between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction, as determined by the Borrower acting in good faith.

 

FATCA” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period minus the sum of (i) Consolidated Capital Expenditures paid or payable in cash by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period (except those financed with borrowed money other than the Term Loan) plus (ii) income taxes paid or payable by such Person and its Subsidiaries in cash during such period, to (b) the sum (the “Debt Service Amount”) of (i) all scheduled payments of principal of any Indebtedness and Capital Lease Obligations paid or payable in cash during such period, plus (ii) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries paid or payable in cash during such period.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the Debt Service Amount as of or for the four quarter period ending on any date set forth below, the Debt Service Amount shall be calculated in accordance to the method set forth in the table below opposite such date:

 

Date   Debt Service Amount
     
December 31, 2014   The aggregate Debt Service Amount for the two fiscal month period ending on December 31, 2014 times 6
     
March 31, 2015   The aggregate Debt Service Amount for the two fiscal month period ending on December 31, 2014 and the fiscal quarter period ending on March 31, 2015 times 12/5
     
June 30, 2015   The aggregate Debt Service Amount for the two fiscal month period ending on December 31, 2014 and the two fiscal quarter period ending on June 30, 2015 times 3/2
     
September 30, 2015   The aggregate Debt Service Amount for the two fiscal month period ending on December 31, 2014 and the three fiscal quarter period ending on September 30, 2015 times 12/11

 

Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is incorporated or organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

Fully Diluted Basis” shall mean, at a given time, all shares of Common Stock of Borrower issued and outstanding at such time, plus all such shares then issuable upon exercise of all then outstanding options, warrants and other convertible securities, whether or not such options, warrants or convertible securities are actually exercisable or convertible at such time, all calculated on an “as converted” to common stock basis.

 

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GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as are in effect from time to time, subject to the provisions of Section 1.3, and applied on a consistent basis both as to classification of items and amounts.

 

Governmental Approval” shall mean any authorization, consent, approval, license, ruling, permit, tariff, rate, certification, exemption, filing, variance, claim, order, judgment, decree, publication, notice to, declaration of or with, or registration by or with, any Official Body.

 

Guarantor” shall mean (i) each Subsidiary of Borrower existing on the Closing Date, and (ii) each other Subsidiary of Borrower that is acquired or formed after the Closing Date; provided, that no Guaranty of the Obligations by a Subsidiary of Borrower shall be required if (x) such Guaranty is prohibited or restricted by applicable law or by contract existing on the Closing Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any governing document of any entity not wholly owned by Borrower upon or after the closing of the Transactions), including any requirement to obtain the consent of any Official Body or third party, unless such consent has been obtained, (y) such Guaranty would result in adverse tax consequences or (z) Borrower and the Administrative Agent reasonably determine that the cost of obtaining such Guaranty is excessive in relation to the value of the Guaranty to be provided thereby. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Builder Subsidiaries shall be a Guarantor on the Closing Date, and as long as any of them shall not become a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower, shall be required to be a Guarantor after the Closing Date.

 

Guaranty” of any Person shall mean any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any liability or obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any agreement to indemnify or hold harmless any other Person, any performance bond or other suretyship arrangement and any other form of assurance against loss, except endorsement of negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business and except obligations in the nature of subrogation or guarantees for the benefit of Persons providing performance bonds for actions by Borrower specifically incident to the issuance of such performance bonds.

 

Guaranty Agreement” shall mean the Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Guarantors and the Collateral Agent.

 

Hazardous Material” shall mean any substance that is regulated or could lead to liability under any Environmental Law, including, but not limited to, any petroleum or petroleum product, asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, hazardous waste, hazardous material, hazardous substance, toxic substance, contaminant or pollutant, as defined or regulated as such under, any applicable Environmental Law.

 

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Indebtedness” shall mean, as to any Person at any time, any and all indebtedness, obligations or liabilities (whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, or joint or several) of such Person for or in respect of: (i) borrowed money, (ii) amounts raised under or liabilities in respect of any note purchase or acceptance credit facility, (iii) reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) under any letter of credit, currency swap agreement, interest rate swap, cap, collar or floor agreement or other interest rate management device, (iv) any other transaction (including forward sale or purchase agreements, capitalized leases and conditional sales agreements but excluding operating leases) having the commercial effect of a borrowing of money entered into by such Person to finance its operations or capital requirements (but not including trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business which are not represented by a promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness and which are not more than ninety (90) days past due), (v) the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than such obligations accrued in the ordinary course of business), to the extent the same would be required to be shown as a long-term liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP and (vi) any Guaranty of Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (v) above.

 

Indemnified Liabilities” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 4.9.

 

Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 4.9.

 

Interest Payment Date” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 4.3.1.

 

Interest Rate” shall mean 9.0% per annum from the Closing Date through the first anniversary of the Closing Date, and 10.0% per annum thereafter.

 

Internal Revenue Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect.

 

Inventory” shall mean all of the “inventory” (as such term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) of the Borrower Affiliate Parties, including, but not limited to, all merchandise, raw materials, parts, supplies, work in process and finished Real Property Inventory or goods intended for sale, together with all the containers, packing, packaging, shipping and similar materials related thereto, and including such inventory as is temporarily out of a Borrower Affiliate Party’s custody or possession, including inventory on the premises of others and items in transit.

 

Investment” in any Person shall mean, without duplication: (a) the acquisition (whether for cash, securities, other Property, services or otherwise) or holding of Capital Stock, bonds, notes or debentures or other securities of such Person, or any agreement to make any such acquisition or to make any capital contribution to such Person; or (b) the making of any deposit with, or advance, loan or other extension of credit to, such Person.

 

Junior Liens” shall mean Liens (other than Liens securing the Obligations) that are subordinated to the Liens granted under the Loan Documents on customary terms pursuant to an intercreditor agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (it being understood that Junior Liens are not required to be pari passu with other Junior Liens, and that Indebtedness secured by Junior Liens may have Liens that are pari passu with, or junior in priority to, other Liens constituting Junior Liens).

 

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Land Bank Transaction” shall mean a series of related transactions in which one or more lots are sold by a Borrower Affiliate Party to a third party and subsequently re-sold to a Borrower Affiliate Party pursuant to a lot takedown agreement.

 

Law” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the common law and any federal, state, local, foreign, multinational or international laws, statutes, codes, treaties, standards, rules and regulations, guidelines, ordinances, orders, judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees (including administrative or judicial precedents or authorities) and the interpretation or administration thereof by, and other determinations, directives, requirements or requests of, any Official Body, in each case whether or not having the force of law and that are applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its Property or to which such Person or any of its Property is subject.

 

Lenders” shall mean the institutions listed as lenders named on Schedule 1.1(A) and their respective successors and assigns as permitted hereunder, each of which is referred to herein as a Lender.

 

Lien” shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security interest, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement of any nature whatsoever, whether voluntarily or involuntarily given, including any conditional sale or title retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of, security and any filed financing statement (other than precautionary financing statement filed in respect of operating leases) or other notice of any of the foregoing (whether or not a lien or other encumbrance is created or exists at the time of the filing).

 

Loan” or “Term Loan” shall mean the Term Loan made by a Lender or the Lenders to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1 on the Closing Date.

 

Loan Documents” shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, the Security Documents and any other instruments, certificates or documents delivered or contemplated to be delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time in accordance herewith or therewith, and Loan Document shall mean any of the Loan Documents.

 

Loan Parties” shall mean, collectively, Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

Margin Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

 

Material Adverse Change” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any set of circumstances or events which (a) has or would reasonably be expected to have any material adverse effect upon the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) is or would reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to the business, properties, assets, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Borrower Affiliate Parties taken as a whole, (c) impairs or would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of any of the Borrower Affiliate Parties to duly and punctually pay or perform its Indebtedness, (d) impairs materially or would reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any of the Lenders, to the extent permitted, to enforce their legal remedies pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (e) impairs materially or would reasonably be expected to impair materially the enforceability or the priority intended under the Security Documents of the Collateral Agent’s Liens with respect to all or a material portion of the Collateral.

 

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Maturity Date” shall mean October 27, 2019.

 

Maximum Rate” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 3.3.

 

Mortgaged Properties” shall mean each Real Property encumbered by a Mortgage pursuant to Section 7.1.8.

 

Mortgages” shall mean the mortgages, debentures, hypothecs, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, and other security documents delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.8, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, with respect to Mortgaged Properties, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

Multiemployer Plan” shall mean any multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

Net Issuance Proceeds” shall mean, in respect of any issuance of equity or incurrence of Indebtedness of any Person (in each case, except for (a) any issuance of directors’ qualifying shares to the extent such issuance is approved by the board of directors (or other similar governing body) of such Person and (b) sales or issuances of Capital Stock to management or employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under any employee stock option or stock purchase plan or employee benefit plan in existence from time to time to the extent such sales or issuances are approved by the board of directors (or other similar governing body) of such Person), cash proceeds (including cash proceeds as and when received in respect of non-cash proceeds received or receivable in connection with such issuance), net of underwriting discounts and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses paid or incurred in connection therewith.

 

Notes” or “Term Notes” shall mean collectively and Note or Term Note shall mean separately all the Notes or Term Notes as the case may be of Borrower evidencing the Term Loan in the form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, together with all amendments, extensions, renewals, replacements, refinancings or refundings thereof in whole or in part.

 

Notices” or “Notice” shall have the meanings provided for in Section 10.5.

 

Obligation” shall mean any obligation or liability of any Borrower Affiliate Party to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any of the Lenders, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due, under this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document.

 

OFAC” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.1.6.

 

Official Body” shall mean any national, federal, state, local or other government or political subdivision or any agency, authority, board, bureau, central bank, commission, department or instrumentality thereof or any court, tribunal, grand jury or arbitrator, in each case whether foreign or domestic.

 

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Participant” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 10.10(d).

 

Participant Register” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 10.10(d).

 

Patent Security Agreement” shall have the meaning specified in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

Patriot Act” shall mean United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) of 2001, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

 

Permitted Holder” shall mean (i) an investment fund or vehicle administered, managed or advised by Greenlight Capital, Inc. and their Affiliates, (ii) any Person or group of Persons to whom, by contract or otherwise, Greenlight Capital, Inc. or any of its Affiliates transfers “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of the voting power of the Common Stock, other than any such Person that acquired such beneficial ownership pursuant to (a) an underwritten public offering or (b) a “broker’s transaction” within the meaning of Rule 144(f) under the Securities Act of 1933, and (iii) James R. Brickman, Brickman Member Joint Venture and their respective Affiliates.

 

Permitted Investments” shall mean:

 

(i)          direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof or obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America maturing in twelve (12) months or less from the date of acquisition;

 

(ii)         commercial paper maturing in 180 days or less rated not lower than A-1, by Standard & Poor’s or P-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. on the date of acquisition;

 

(iii)        demand deposits, time deposits or certificates of deposit maturing within one year in commercial banks whose obligations are rated A-1, A or the equivalent or better by Standard & Poor’s on the date of acquisition;

 

(iv)        money market funds rated at least “AA” by Standard & Poors or “Aa” by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc.; and

 

(v)         Investments consisting of promissory notes or other non-cash consideration received as proceeds of asset dispositions permitted by Section 7.2.6.

 

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Permitted Liens” shall mean:

 

(i)          (a) any Lien existing on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 7.2.2, (b) any Lien securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness to the extent permitted by the definition thereof, (c) any Lien on Real Property Inventory of a Borrower Affiliate Party securing Specified Replacement Indebtedness and (d) any Lien on any Property of a Borrower Affiliate Party to replace any Property referred to in clause (a), (b) or (c) above as a result of such Property being sold, disposed of or otherwise transferred (in whole or in part) in the ordinary course of business;

 

(ii)         Liens created under the Loan Documents;

 

(iii)        Liens for taxes, assessments, or similar charges to the extent not required to be paid under Section 7.1.2;

 

(iv)        Pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure payment of worker’s compensation, or to participate in any fund in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old-age pensions or other social security programs;

 

(v)         Liens arising out of a judgment or award that (a) does not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.1.6 and (b) is subject to a good faith contest by the Borrower Affiliate Parties and in respect of which, if applicable, a Borrower Affiliate Party shall have set aside on its books reserves in accordance with GAAP;

 

(vi)        Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.2.1(c) limited to the assets purchased, developed, improved or constructed with such Indebtedness or leased pursuant to such capital leases;

 

(vii)       Liens imposed by Law, such as landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, construction or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and in respect of which, if applicable, a Borrower Affiliate Party shall have set aside on its books reserves in accordance with GAAP;

 

(viii)      (i) pledges and deposits and other Liens made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with the Federal Employers Liability Act or any other workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations and deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations and (ii) pledges and deposits and other Liens securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to any Borrower Affiliate Party;

 

(ix)         deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for Indebtedness), leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance and return of money bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, agreements with utilities, and other obligations of a like nature (including letters of credit in lieu of any such bonds or to support the issuance thereof) incurred in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(x)          zoning restrictions, survey exceptions and such other encumbrances as an accurate survey would disclose, easements, trackage rights, leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), licenses, special assessments, rights of way, covenants, conditions, restrictions and declarations on or with respect to the use of Real Property, servicing agreements, development agreements, site plan agreements and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business and title defects or irregularities that are of a minor nature and that, in the aggregate, do not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of any Borrower Affiliate Party;

 

(xi)         Liens disclosed by the title insurance policies delivered on or subsequent to the Closing Date and pursuant to Sections 7.1.3 and 7.1.8 and any replacement, extension or renewal of any such Lien; provided, that such replacement, extension or renewal Lien shall not cover any property other than that was subject to such Lien prior to such replacement, extension or renewal and Real Estate Inventory under construction or constructed thereon; provided, further, that the Indebtedness and other obligations secured by such replacement, extension or renewal Lien are permitted by this Agreement;

 

(xii)        any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any leases or subleases entered into by any Borrower Affiliate Party in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xiii)       Liens that are contractual rights of set off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness or (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of any Borrower Affiliate Party to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of any Borrower Affiliate Party;

 

(xiv)      Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set off or similar rights;

 

(xv)       Liens securing obligations in respect of trade related letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar obligations permitted under Section 7.2.1(d) or 7.2.1(g) and covering the goods (or the documents of title in respect of such goods) financed by such letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar obligations and the proceeds and products thereof;

 

(xvi)      leases or subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including with respect to intellectual property and software) granted to others in the ordinary course of business not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower Affiliate Parties, taken as a whole;

 

(xvii)     Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by any of any Borrower Affiliate Party in connection with (a) Land Bank Transactions or (b) any letter of intent or purchase agreement in respect of any Investment permitted under Section 7.2.3;

 

(xviii)    Liens on Real Property Inventory of any Borrower Affiliate Party to the extent such Real Property Inventory secures Specified Deferred Purchase Price Debt;

 

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(xix)       Liens for homeowner, condominium and similar association fees, assessments and other payments; and

 

(xx)        assignments of insurance or condemnation proceeds provided to landlords (or their mortgages) pursuant to the terms of any lease of property leased by a Borrower or any Subsidiary, in each case with respect to the property so leased, and customary Liens and rights reserved in any lease for rent or for compliance with the terms of such lease.

 

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” shall mean any Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to “Refinance”), the Indebtedness being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness); provided, that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so Refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon and original issue discounts, underwriting discounts, fees, commissions and expenses), (b) the average life to maturity of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (c) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under this Agreement, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (d) no Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall have greater guarantees or security than the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (e) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is Indebtedness of a Loan Party, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall not be incurred by Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and (f) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is secured by any collateral (whether equally and ratably with, or junior to, the Secured Parties or otherwise), such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness may be secured by such collateral (including pursuant to after-acquired property to the extent any such collateral would have secured the Indebtedness being Refinanced) on terms no less favorable to the Secured Parties than those contained in the documentation (including any intercreditor agreement) governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced; provided, that any Indebtedness secured by a Junior Lien may be Refinanced with Indebtedness that is secured by Junior Liens that are senior in priority to the Junior Liens securing such Indebtedness being Refinanced, so long as the Liens securing such Refinancing Indebtedness are subject to intercreditor terms that, vis-à-vis the Obligations, are no less favorable to the Lenders than those set forth in the intercreditor agreement governing such Indebtedness being Refinanced.

 

Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint venture, government or political subdivision or agency thereof, or any other entity.

 

PIK Election” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 4.3.1(b).

 

PIK Quarter” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 7.2.16.

 

Plan” shall mean any employee pension benefit plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA other than a Multiemployer Plan.

 

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Pledge and Security Agreement” shall mean the Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Borrower, each other Loan Party and the Collateral Agent.

 

Pledged Collateral” shall mean the Pledged Stock and the Pledged Debt, in each case as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

Principal Office” shall mean the main office of the Administrative Agent in New York, New York.

 

Property” shall mean any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, and whether tangible or intangible.

 

Ratable Share” shall mean the proportion that a Lender’s Commitment or portion of the Loan bears to the total Commitments or total Loan amount of all of the Lenders.

 

Rate Management Transaction” shall mean any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered by any Borrower Affiliate Party that is a rate swap, basis swap, forward rate transaction, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, forward transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or any combination thereof, whether linked to one or more interest rates, foreign currencies, or other financial measures.

 

Real Property” shall mean all real property owned, leased or subleased or otherwise operated or occupied by any Borrower Affiliate Party.

 

Real Property Inventory” shall mean all Real Property intended for sale (or intended to be developed and constructed for sale) in the ordinary course of business of any Borrower Affiliate Party.

 

Refinance” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness,” and “Refinanced” shall have a meaning correlative thereto.

 

Register” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 10.10(b) hereof.

 

Regulation U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

Regulation X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

Regulations” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 10.16.

 

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Release” shall mean any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment (including the abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers, and other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Material, but excluding (i) emissions from the engine exhaust of a motor vehicle and (ii) the normal application of fertilizer).

 

Reportable Event” shall mean any reportable event as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the 30-day notice period referred to in Section 4043(c) of ERISA has been waived, with respect to a Plan (other than a Plan maintained by an ERISA Affiliate that is considered an ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection (m) or (o) of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code).

 

Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders having Loans representing more than 50% of the sum of all Loans outstanding at such time.

 

Required Prepayment Date” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 4.7.

 

Rights Offering” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Secured Parties” shall mean the “Secured Parties” as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

Security Documents” shall mean the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement, the Mortgages, the Copyright Security Agreement, the Patent Security Agreement and the Trademark Security Agreement and each of the security agreements, mortgages and other instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing or pursuant to Section 7.1.8, in each case, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

 

Sellers” shall have the meaning specified in the Transaction Agreement.

 

SDN List” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 5.1.6.

 

Solvent” shall mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the assets of such Person and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, at fair valuation, exceeds their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent, unliquidated, or otherwise, (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of such Person and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the total amount, on a consolidated basis, of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent, unliquidated, or otherwise, (c) such Person and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, on a consolidated basis, as such liabilities become absolute and matured and (d) such Person and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, do not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is conducted as of such date and as such business is proposed to be conducted following such date. The amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that would reasonably be expected to become an actual and matured liability.

 

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Specified Deferred Purchase Price Debt” shall mean Indebtedness consisting of deferred purchase price obligations owed to sellers of land or lots for development or construction of Real Estate Inventory in the ordinary course of business.

 

Specified Replacement Indebtedness” shall mean a secured line of credit to replace the previously terminated line of credit with Plains Capital Bank in an available principal amount not in excess of $10,000,000.

 

Subsidiary” of any Person at any time shall mean (i) any corporation or trust of which 50% or more (by number of shares or number of votes) of the outstanding Capital Stock or shares of beneficial interest normally entitled to vote for the election of one or more directors or trustees (regardless of any contingency which does or may suspend or dilute the voting rights) is at such time owned directly or indirectly by such Person or one or more of such Person’s Subsidiaries, (ii) any partnership of which such Person is a general partner or of which 50% or more of the partnership interests is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person or one or more of such Person’s Subsidiaries, (iii) any limited liability company of which such Person is a member or of which 50% or more of the interests is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person or one or more of such Person’s Subsidiaries or (iv) any corporation, trust, partnership, limited liability company or other entity which is controlled by such Person or one or more of such Person’s Subsidiaries.

 

Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties (including stamp duties), deductions, charges (including ad valorem charges) or withholdings imposed by any Official Body and any and all interest and penalties related thereto.

 

Trademark Security Agreement” shall have the meaning specified in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

Transaction Agreement” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Transactions” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Voting Agreement” shall have the meaning specified in the Transaction Agreement.

 

Voting Stock” shall mean with respect to any Person, shall mean Capital Stock the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even if the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of a contingency.

 

Waivable Mandatory Prepayment” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 4.7.

 

Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

 

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1.2         Construction.  Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires, the following rules of construction shall apply to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents:

 

1.2.1      Number; Inclusion.  References to the plural include the singular, the plural, the part and the whole; “or” has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or,” and “including” has the meaning represented by the phrase “including without limitation”;

 

1.2.2      Determination.  References to “determination” of or by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders shall mean good-faith estimates by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders (in the case of quantitative determinations) and good-faith beliefs by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders (in the case of qualitative determinations) and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error;

 

1.2.3      Documents Taken as a Whole.  The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereto” and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document;

 

1.2.4      Headings.  The section and other headings contained in this Agreement or such other Loan Document and the Table of Contents, preceding this Agreement or such other Loan Document are for reference purposes only and shall not control or affect the construction of this Agreement or such other Loan Document or the interpretation thereof in any respect;

 

1.2.5      Implied References to this Agreement.  Article, section, subsection, clause, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement or other Loan Document, as the case may be, unless otherwise specified;

 

1.2.6      Persons.  Reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity;

 

1.2.7      Modifications to Documents.  Reference to any agreement (including this Agreement and any other Loan Document together with the schedules and exhibits hereto or thereto), document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended, modified, replaced, substituted for, superseded or restated;

 

1.2.8      From, To and Through.  Relative to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including,” “to” means “to but excluding,” and “through” means “through and including”; and

 

1.2.9      Shall; Will.  References to “shall” and “will” are intended to have the same meaning.

 

1.3         Accounting Principles.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all computations and determinations as to accounting or financial matters and all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be made and prepared in accordance with GAAP (including principles of consolidation where appropriate), and all accounting or financial terms shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms by GAAP; provided, however, that all accounting terms used in Section 7.2 (and all defined terms used in the definition of any accounting term used in Section 7.2) shall have the meaning given to such terms (and defined terms) under GAAP as in effect on the date hereof applied on a basis consistent with those used in preparing the financial statements except that interim financial statements will not have footnote disclosures.

 

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1.4         Concerning Corporate Terms.  When terms such as “stock,” “shares,” “shareholders,” “corporate,” “company” and similar terms generally associated with corporations are used herein or in the Loan Documents, they shall be deemed as well to refer to limited liability member interests, owners of those interests and a limited liability company or similar entity, as the context may require, and references to corporate governance documents and procedures shall have their appropriate and correlative meanings with respect to limited liability companies, as the context may require, and vice versa.

 

2. TERM FACILITY

 

2.1         Term Loan Commitment.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Lender severally but not jointly agrees to make such Lender’s portion of the Term Loan to Borrower on the Closing Date; provided, that after giving effect to the Term Loan the amount of the Term Loan of such Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, amounts borrowed hereunder and repaid may not be re-borrowed.

 

2.2         Nature of LendersObligations with Respect to the Term Loan.  Each Lender hereby agrees to participate in the initial and sole request for the Term Loan in accordance with its Commitment.  The obligations of each Lender hereunder are several, and not joint and several.  The failure of any Lender to perform its obligations hereunder shall not affect the Obligations of Borrower to any other party nor shall any other party be liable for the failure of such non-performing Lender to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

2.3         Making the Term Loan.  Each Lender shall remit the principal amount of the Term Loan to the Administrative Agent such that the Administrative Agent is able to, and the Administrative Agent shall, to the extent the Lenders have made funds available to it for such purpose, fund the Term Loan to Borrower in U.S. Dollars and immediately available funds on the Borrowing Date.

 

2.4         Notes.  The obligation of Borrower to repay the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loan made to it by each Lender, together with interest thereon, shall be evidenced by a Term Note dated the Closing Date payable to the order of such Lender in a face amount equal to the Ratable Share of such Lender.

 

3. INTEREST RATES

 

3.1         Interest Rate.  Borrower agrees to pay interest in respect of the outstanding Obligations hereunder as provided in Section 4.3.1, at a rate per annum equal to the Interest Rate.  The interest due on the principal balance of the Loan outstanding shall be computed based on the actual number of days elapsed from the Borrowing Date, on the basis of a year consisting of three hundred sixty (360) days, and shall be calculated by determining the average daily principal balance outstanding for each day in question.  The daily rate shall be equal to 1/360th times the Interest Rate.

 

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3.2         Interest After Default.  To the extent permitted by Law, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 8.1.1, 8.1.12 or 8.1.13 and until such time as such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fees and expenses or other amount payable by any Loan Party hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, unless the Required Lenders otherwise consent, such overdue amount shall bear interest (the “Default Rate”), after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to 2.0% plus the Interest Rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in Section 3.1. The Borrower acknowledges that the increase in rates referred to in this Section 3.2 reflects, among other things, the fact that the Loan or other amounts have become a substantially greater risk given their default status and that the Lenders are entitled to additional compensation for such risk, and all such interest shall be payable by Borrower upon demand by the Administrative Agent.

 

3.3         Interest Rate Limitation.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”).  If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loan or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to Borrower.  In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

4. PAYMENTS

 

4.1         Payments.  All payments and prepayments to be made in respect of principal, interest or other fees or amounts due from Borrower hereunder shall be payable prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date when due without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower, and without set-off, counterclaim or other deduction of any nature.  Such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office for the ratable accounts of the Lenders with respect to the Loan in U.S. Dollars and in immediately available funds, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute such amounts to the Lenders in immediately available funds.  The Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s statement of account, ledger or other relevant record shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive as the statement of the amount of principal of and interest on the Loan and other amounts owing under this Agreement.

 

4.2         Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders.  The sole and initial borrowing shall be allocated to each Lender according to its Ratable Share, and each payment or prepayment by Borrower with respect to principal, interest or other fees or amounts due from Borrower hereunder to the Lenders with respect to the Loan shall (except in the case of an event specified in Section 4.8) be made in proportion to the Ratable Share of each Lender in the Loan.

 

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4.3         Payment Dates.

 

4.3.1      Interest Payment Dates.  (a) Interest on the Loan shall be due and payable (i) quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”) of each fiscal quarter (or any portion thereof), (ii) on the Maturity Date and (iii) upon acceleration of the Notes or Obligations; provided, that interest accrued in respect of any portion of the Loan that is prepaid in connection with a voluntary prepayment of principal under Section 4.4 or a mandatory prepayment of principal under Section 4.5 shall be due and payable on the date of such prepayment.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Borrower shall have a one-time right, exercisable at any time during the term of the Loan, to elect to pay in-kind all or a portion of up to four (4) consecutive quarters of interest due and payable in cash (“PIK Election”) by providing prior written notice of such PIK Election to the Administrative Agent at least three (3) Business Days prior to the first Interest Payment Date of such four consecutive Interest Payment Dates. Such accrued and unpaid interest so paid in-kind shall, on each such Interest Payment Date, be allocated to the Lenders’ Loans based on the Ratable Share of respective principal amounts thereof then outstanding, and be added to the outstanding principal amounts thereof and thereafter bear interest in accordance herewith.

 

4.3.2      Principal Payment Date.  The entire principal balance of the Loan plus all accrued and unpaid interest, and all unpaid fees and costs, if any, shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date.

 

4.4         Voluntary Prepayments. Borrower shall have the right at its option at any time and from time to time to prepay the Loan in whole or in part, subject to Section 4.8; provided, that (i) each such prepayment shall not be less than $1,000,000, unless the total principal amount outstanding is less than $1,000,000 and (ii) if any such prepayment is made prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date, Borrower shall on the date of such prepayment pay to each Lender a prepayment premium equal to 1.0% of the aggregate amount of the Loan being so prepaid.

 

4.5         Mandatory Prepayments.  Subject to Section 4.7, Borrower shall make mandatory prepayments of the Loan, without premium or penalty except as provided in Section 4.8, as follows:

 

4.5.1      Debt Issuances.  Not later than three (3) Business Days following the receipt by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower of Net Issuance Proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness (other than Net Issuance Proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.2.1), Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to 100% of such Net Issuance Proceeds, for application to the outstanding principal on the Loan and the accrued interest on the principal amount of the Loan so prepaid.

 

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4.5.2      Equity Issuances.  Not later than five (5) Business Days following the receipt of any Net Issuance Proceeds from the issuance of any Capital Stock by Borrower (other than any Capital Stock issued to any other Loan Party or any Capital Stock issued on the Closing Date as part of the Transactions), Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to 100% of such Net Issuance Proceeds, for application to the outstanding principal on the Loan and the accrued interest on the principal amount of the Loan so prepaid.

 

4.6         Prepayment Notices.  Each prepayment of the Loan made pursuant to Section 4.4 or 4.5 shall be made upon notice to the Administrative Agent by 12:00 noon New York City time not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment setting forth the following information:

 

(a)          the date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the prepayment is to be made; and

 

(b)          the total principal amount of such prepayment.

 

All prepayment notices shall be irrevocable, unless such notice expressly conditions prepayment upon the availability or the effectiveness of new financing, in which case, such notice may be revoked by Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) to the extent such condition is not satisfied.  Absent any such revocation, the principal amount of the Loan for which a prepayment notice is given, together with interest on such principal amount, shall be due and payable on the date specified in such prepayment notice as the date on which the proposed prepayment is to be made.  Any prepayment hereunder shall be subject to Borrower’s obligations to indemnify the Lenders under Section 4.8.2.

 

4.7         Waivable Mandatory Prepayments.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in the event Borrower is required to make any mandatory prepayment (a “Waivable Mandatory Prepayment”) of the Loan pursuant to Section 4.5, promptly following delivery of the notice required pursuant to Section 4.6, the Administrative Agent will notify each Lender holding an outstanding Loan of the amount of such Lender’s Ratable Share of such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment and such Lender’s option to refuse such amount. Each such Lender may exercise such option by giving written notice to the Administrative Agent of its election to do so on or before the first Business Day prior to the date (the “Required Prepayment Date”) on which the Borrower is required to make such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment (it being understood that any Lender which does not notify the Administrative Agent of its election to exercise such option on or before the first Business Day prior to the Required Prepayment Date shall be deemed to have elected, as of such date, not to exercise such option). On the Required Prepayment Date, Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent the amount of the Waivable Mandatory Prepayment less the amount of the Declined Proceeds, which amount shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to prepay the Loan of those Lenders that have elected to accept such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment. The portion of the Waivable Mandatory Prepayment otherwise payable to those Lenders that have elected to exercise such option and decline such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment (such declined amounts, the “Declined Proceeds”) may be retained by Borrower for any purpose not prohibited by this Agreement and shall not be deemed repaid for any purpose.

 

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4.8         Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances.  

 

4.8.1      Increased Costs or Reduced Return Resulting from Taxes, Expenses, Etc.  If any change in any Law, guideline or interpretation or application thereof after the date hereof by any Official Body charged with the interpretation or administration thereof or compliance with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) of any Official Body:

 

(a)          subjects any Lender to any Tax or changes the basis of taxation with respect to this Agreement, the Notes, the Loan or payments by Borrower of principal, interest or other amounts due from Borrower hereunder or under the Notes (except for (i) Taxes on the overall net income of such Lender, (ii) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA or (iii) Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with Section 10.16), or

 

(b)          imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against credits or commitments to extend credit extended by, or assets (funded or contingent) of, deposits with or for the account of, or other acquisitions of funds by, any Lender; and

 

(c)          the result of (a) or (b) is to increase the cost to, reduce the income receivable by, or impose any expense upon any Lender with respect to this Agreement, the Notes or the making, maintenance or funding of any part of the Loan by an amount which such Lender in its sole discretion deems to be material, such Lender shall from time to time notify Borrower and the Administrative Agent of the amount determined in good faith (using any averaging and attribution methods employed in good faith) by such Lender to be necessary to compensate such Lender for such increase in cost, reduction of income, additional expense or reduced rate of return.  Such notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for such determination.  Such amount shall be due and payable by Borrower to such Lender ten (10) Business Days after such notice is given.

 

4.8.2      Losses Caused by Borrower.  In addition to the compensation required by Section 4.8.1, Borrower shall reimburse each Lender against all liabilities, losses or expenses (including loss of margin, any loss or expense incurred in liquidating or employing deposits from third parties) which such Lender sustains or incurs as a consequence of any of the following:

 

(a)          attempt by Borrower to revoke (expressly, by later inconsistent notices or otherwise) in whole or part any notice relating to prepayments under Section 4.4, except as expressly permitted by Section 4.6;

 

(b)          default by Borrower in the performance or observance of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including any failure of Borrower to pay when due (by acceleration or otherwise) any principal, interest or any other amount due hereunder (without duplication of any payments required, under Section 4.9 or Section 10.3 in connection with any such default); or

 

(c)          misrepresentation by any Borrower Affiliate Party in any representation, warranty or certification made (or deemed made) at any time after the Closing Date by the Borrower Affiliate Parties in this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

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If any Lender sustains or incurs any such loss or expense, it shall from time to time notify Borrower of the amount determined in good faith by such Lender (which determination may include such assumptions, allocations of costs and expenses and averaging or attribution methods as such Lender shall deem reasonable) to be necessary to indemnify such Lender for such loss or expense.  Such notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for such determination.  Such amount shall be due and payable by Borrower to such Lender ten (10) Business Days after such notice is given.  For purposes of clarity, notwithstanding any provision of this Section 4.8.2 to the contrary, no reimbursement shall be required to be made for loss or margin that is attributable to a prepayment made in accordance with Section 4.4.

 

4.8.3      Mitigation Obligation.  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 4.8.1, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Term Loan hereunder or to assist its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 4.8.1, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.  Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

4.9         INDEMNIFICATION BY BORROWER.  IN CONSIDERATION OF THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS AND THE AGREEMENT TO EXTEND THE COMMITMENTS PROVIDED HEREUNDER, BORROWER HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, EXONERATE AND HOLD THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EACH LENDER and each of their respective affiliates, successors and assigns, AND EACH OF THE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, advisors, controlling persons, members AND AGENTS OF each of THE foregoing (EACH AN “INDEMNIFIED PARTY”) FREE AND HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL claims, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, SUITS, inquiries, litigation or other proceeding (regardless of whether such Indemnified Party is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by Borrower or any of its Affiliates) LOSSES, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of one outside counsel (and, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction) (COLLECTIVELY, THE “INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES”), INCURRED BY THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES OR ANY OF THEM AS A RESULT OF, OR ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATING TO (A) THE USE, HANDLING, RELEASE, EMISSION, DISCHARGE, TRANSPORTATION, STORAGE, TREATMENT OR DISPOSAL OF ANY HAZARDOUS MATERIAL AT ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED BY ANY Borrower Affiliate PARTY, (B) ANY VIOLATION OF ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS WITH RESPECT TO CONDITIONS AT ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED BY ANY Borrower Affiliate PARTY OR THE OPERATIONS CONDUCTED THEREON, (C) THE INVESTIGATION, CLEANUP OR REMEDIATION OF OFFSITE LOCATIONS AT WHICH ANY Borrower Affiliate PARTY OR THEIR RESPECTIVE PREDECESSORS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY DISPOSED OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS OR (D) SUBJECT TO SECTION 10.16, THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT BY ANY OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES AND ANY ACTION TAKEN OR OMITTED BY A LENDER HEREUNDER, EXCEPT FOR ANY SUCH INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES ARISING ON ACCOUNT OF (i) THE APPLICABLE INDEMNIFIED PARTY’S bad faith, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT AS DETERMINED BY A FINAL, NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, (ii) a material breach of any obligation of the applicable Indemnified Party, the Lenders or the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or (iii) disputes solely among Indemnified Parties and not arising out of any act or omission of Borrower or any of its Affiliates.  IF AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FOREGOING UNDERTAKING MAY BE UNENFORCEABLE FOR ANY REASON, BORROWER HEREBY AGREES TO MAKE THE MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION TO THE PAYMENT AND SATISFACTION OF EACH OF THE INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES WHICH IS PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.  ALL OBLIGATIONS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION 4.9 SHALL SURVIVE REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN, CANCELLATION OF THE NOTES, ANY FORECLOSURE UNDER, OR ANY MODIFICATION, RELEASE OR DISCHARGE OF, ANY OR ALL OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND TERMINATION OF THE COMMITMENTS HEREUNDER OR TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

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5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

5.1         Representations and Warranties.  Borrower represents and warrants, subject to the provisions of Section 1.4, to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders as follows:

 

5.1.1      Organization and Qualification.  Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (a) is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has the lawful power to engage in the business it presently conducts or proposes to conduct and (c) is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of the business transacted by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary if the failure to be so licensed or qualified would cause or constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

5.1.2      Ventures and Subsidiaries; Outstanding Stock.  Except as set forth in Schedule 5.1.2, as of the Closing Date, no Borrower Affiliate Party (a) has any Subsidiaries, or (b) is engaged in any joint venture or partnership with any other Person. All issued and outstanding Capital Stock and Capital Stock equivalents of each of the Borrower Affiliate Parties are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable, and free and clear of all Liens other than, with respect to the Capital Stock and Capital Stock equivalents of the Borrower Affiliate Parties, those in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties. All such securities were issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal Laws concerning the issuance of securities. All of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of each Borrower Affiliate Party is owned by each of the Persons and in the amounts set forth in Schedule 5.1.2. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.1.2, there are no pre-emptive or other outstanding rights to purchase, options, warrants or similar rights or agreements pursuant to which any Borrower Affiliate Party may be required to issue, sell, repurchase or redeem any of its Capital Stock or Capital Stock equivalents or any Capital Stock or Capital Stock equivalents of its Subsidiaries.

 

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5.1.3      Power and Authority.  Each of Borrower and the other Loan Parties has full power to enter into, execute, deliver and carry out each Loan Document to which it is a party, to incur the Indebtedness contemplated by the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to perform its Obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party; and all such actions have been duly authorized by all necessary proceedings on its part.

 

5.1.4      Validity and Binding Effect.  This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Borrower, and each other Loan Document which any Borrower Affiliate Party is required to execute and deliver on the date hereof has been duly executed and delivered by such Borrower Affiliate Party.  Each of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Borrower Affiliate Party party thereto, enforceable against such Borrower Affiliate Party in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability of any of such Loan Document may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting the enforceability of creditors’ rights generally or limiting the right of specific performance.

 

5.1.5      No Conflict.  Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents by any Borrower Affiliate Party nor the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by any of them will (a) conflict with, constitute a default under or result in any breach of (i) the terms and conditions of the certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents of any Borrower Affiliate Party, or (ii) (A) any Law to which any Borrower Affiliate Party or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which it is subject or (B) any material agreement or instrument or order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree to which any Borrower Affiliate Party is a party or by which it or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which it is subject, or (b) result in the creation or enforcement of any Lien, charge or encumbrance whatsoever upon any property (now or hereafter acquired) of any Borrower Affiliate Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Liens granted under the Loan Documents), except with respect to clause (a)(ii), to the extent such conflict, default or breach would not cause or constitute an Event of Default.

 

5.1.6      Federal Reserve Regulations.  (a) None of Borrower or its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.

 

(b)          No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, (i) to purchase or carry Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose or (ii) for any purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent with, the provisions of the regulations of the Board, including Regulation U or Regulation X.

 

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5.1.7      Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Export Controls and Anti-Money Laundering.  Each Borrower Affiliate Party is in compliance in all material respects with (i) all applicable U.S. economic sanctions Laws, executive orders and implementing regulations as promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), (ii) the Export Administration Act and Regulations, the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, (iii) all applicable anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing Laws, including, but not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the Patriot Act and the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 (i.e., 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957); and (iv) any similar applicable Laws enacted in the United States or any other jurisdictions in which the parties to this Agreement operate, as any of the foregoing Laws may from time to time be amended, renewed, extended, or replaced and all other applicable legal requirements of any Official Body governing, addressing, relating to, or attempting to eliminate, terrorist acts and acts of war and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto (collectively, “Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions”). None of Borrower Affiliate Parties nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents (i) is a Person designated by the U.S. government on the most current list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” published by OFAC (the “SDN List”) with which a U.S. Person cannot deal with or otherwise engage in business transactions, (ii) is a Person who is otherwise the target of U.S. economic sanctions Laws such that a U.S. Person cannot deal or otherwise engage in business transactions with such Person or (iii) is controlled by (including without limitation by virtue of such person being a director or owning controlling voting shares or interests), or acts, directly or indirectly, for or on behalf of, any person or entity on the SDN List or a foreign government that is the target of U.S. economic sanctions prohibitions such that the entry into, or performance under, this Agreement or any other Loan Document would be prohibited under U.S. Law. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used directly or indirectly in violation of any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions.

 

5.1.8      Patriot Act.  Each of the Borrower Affiliate Parties is in compliance in all material respects with (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act of the United States (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, (b) the Patriot Act and (c) other applicable federal or state Laws relating to “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used directly or indirectly for any payments to any government official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to illegally obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any other applicable anti-corruption Laws.

 

5.1.9      No Event of Default; Compliance with Instruments.  No event has occurred and is continuing and no condition exists or will exist after giving effect to the borrowings or other extensions of credit to be made on the Closing Date under or pursuant to the Loan Documents which constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Default. None of the Borrower Affiliate Parties is in violation of (i) any term of its certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents or (ii) any material agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be subject or bound where such violation would constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

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5.1.10    Investment Company Act.  None of the Affiliate Loan Parties is an “investment company” registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under the “control” of an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 and shall not become such an “investment company” or under such “control.”  Neither the making of the Loan, nor the application of the proceeds or repayment thereof by Borrower, nor the consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereby will violate any provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 or any rule, regulation or order of the SEC thereunder.

 

5.1.11    Solvency.  After giving effect to (i) the consummation of the Transactions, (ii) the disbursement of the proceeds of the Loan and (iii) the payment and accrual of all transaction costs in connection with the foregoing (the “Closing Transaction Costs”), the Borrower Affiliate Parties, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.

 

5.1.12    Security Documents.  Subject to Section 6.1.2:

 

(a)          The Pledge and Security Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof to the extent intended to be created thereby. In the case of the Pledged Collateral described in the Pledge and Security Agreement, when certificates or promissory notes, as applicable, representing such Pledged Collateral are delivered to the Collateral Agent in accordance with the Pledge and Security Agreement, and subject to Section 6.1.2, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Pledge and Security Agreement (other than the Intellectual Property (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement)), when financing statements and other filings specified on Schedule V of the Pledge and Security Agreement in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule V of the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in (to the extent required thereby), all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and, subject to Section 9-315 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations to the extent perfection can be obtained by filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, in each case prior and superior in right to any other person (except the Permitted Liens and Liens having priority by operation of law).

 

(b)          When the Patent Security Agreement, the Trademark Security Agreement and the Copyright Security Agreement are properly filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, and, with respect to Collateral in which a security interest cannot be perfected by such filings, upon the proper filing of the financing statements referred to in paragraph (a) above, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties thereunder in the domestic Intellectual Property (to the extent intended to be created thereby), in each case prior and superior in right to any other person (it being understood that subsequent recordings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office may be necessary to perfect a lien on registered trademarks and patents, trademark and patent applications and registered copyrights acquired by the grantors thereunder after the Closing Date), except the Permitted Liens and Liens having priority by operation of Law.

 

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(c)          The Mortgages executed and delivered after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 7.1.8 shall be effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) a legal, valid and enforceable Lien on all of the applicable Loan Parties’ right, title and interest in and to the Mortgaged Property thereunder and the proceeds thereof (to the extent feasible in the applicable jurisdiction), and when such Mortgages are filed or recorded in the proper real estate filing or recording offices and all relevant mortgage taxes and recording charges are duly paid, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the applicable Loan Parties in such Mortgaged Property and, to the extent applicable, subject to Section 9-315 of the Uniform Commercial Code, the proceeds thereof (to the extent feasible in the applicable jurisdiction), in each case prior and superior in right to the Lien of any other person, other than with respect to the rights of a person pursuant to the Permitted Liens and Liens having priority by operation of law.

 

(d)          After taking the actions specified for perfection therein, each Security Document (excluding the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Patent Security Agreement, the Trademark Security Agreement, the Copyright Security Agreement and the Mortgages, each of which is covered by another paragraph of this Section 5.1.10), when executed and delivered, will be effective under applicable law to create in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral subject thereto (to the extent intended to be created thereby), and will constitute a fully perfected Lien on and security interest in all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the Collateral subject thereto (to extent required thereby), prior and superior to the rights of any other person, except for rights secured by the Permitted Liens and Liens having priority by operation of law.

 

6. CONDITIONS OF LENDING

 

The obligation of each Lender to make the Loan hereunder is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

6.1         Closing Date Loan.  On the Closing Date:

 

6.1.1      Loan Agreement.  The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) fully executed counterparts (each of which shall be originals or telecopies followed promptly by originals) of this Agreement and (ii) a Note executed by Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note.

 

6.1.2      Security Documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have received fully executed counterparts (each of which shall be originals or telecopies followed promptly by originals) of the Pledge and Security Agreement and all other Security Documents, including but not limited to the Guaranty Agreement (but not including any Copyright Security Agreement, Patent Security Agreement, Trademark Security Agreement or Mortgages), together with (i) all appropriate Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and appropriate stock powers and certificates evidencing the Pledged Collateral and (ii) the results reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent) filings made with respect to the Loan Parties. Each Loan Party authorizes the Administrative Agent to cause to be filed any such Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such locations as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or otherwise, to the extent any Collateral, including the perfection of any security interest, is not or cannot be provided on the Closing Date (other than (A) the pledge and perfection of security interests, to the extent required hereunder and under the Pledge and Security Agreement, in the Capital Stock of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including the Guarantors) with respect to which a Lien may be perfected by the delivery of a certificate representing such Capital Stock, if any and (B) the pledge and perfection of security interests in Collateral with respect to which a Lien may be perfected by the filing of financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code in the office of the Secretary of State (or equivalent filing office of the relevant State(s) of the Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s jurisdiction of organization) after the Borrower’s use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so, then the provision of any such Collateral, including the perfection of any security interest, shall not constitute a condition precedent to the availability of the Loan on the Closing Date, but may instead be provided, or a security interest therein perfected, within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date (which may be extended by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion) pursuant to arrangements to be mutually agreed by the Borrower and Collateral Agent.

 

6.1.3      Representations and Warranties.  Each of (i) the representations and warranties of Borrower contained in Article 5 hereof (other than Sections 5.1.2, 5.1.5(a)(ii)(B), 5.1.5(b) and 5.1.9) and (ii) the representations and warranties in the Transaction Agreement made by or with respect to the Acquired Companies that are material to the interests of the Lenders (but only to the extent that Borrower has the right to terminate its obligations under the Transaction Agreement, or decline to consummate the Transactions pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, as a result of a breach of such representations in the Transaction Agreement) shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, to the extent already qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, shall be true and correct in all respects).

 

6.1.4      Officer’s Certificates.  There shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of each Lender (a) a certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by an authorized officer of BioFuel Energy Corp. certifying that, to the extent related to BioFuel Energy Corp. prior to the Transactions, the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article 5 (other than the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.1.2, 5.1.5(a)(ii)(B), 5.1.5(b) and 5.1.9) and in each of the other Loan Documents executed on the Closing Date shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date; and (b) a certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer or manager of each of the Companies (as defined in the Transaction Agreement) certifying that, to the extent related to the Companies, the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article 5 (other than the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.1.2, 5.1.5(a)(ii)(B), 5.1.5(b) and 5.1.9) and in each of the other Loan Documents executed on the Closing Date shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date.

 

6.1.5      Secretary’s Certificate.  There shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of each Lender a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party (other than the Dormant Subsidiaries), certifying as appropriate as to:

 

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(a)          all action taken by such Loan Party in connection with the Loan Documents to which it is a party;

 

(b)          the names of the officer or officers authorized to sign the Loan Documents or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Loan Party and the true signatures of such officer or officers and specifying the duly authorized officers permitted to act on behalf of such Loan Party for purposes of the Loan Documents or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Loan Party and the true signatures of such officers, on which the Administrative Agent and each Lender may conclusively rely; and

 

(c)          copies of its organizational documents, including its certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, by-laws, limited liability company agreement, partnership agreement or other constituent or governing documents (as applicable), including all amendments thereto, as in effect on the Closing Date, certified by the appropriate state official where such documents are filed in a state office together with certificates from the appropriate state officials as to the continued existence and good standing of each party in each state where organized or qualified to do business.

 

6.1.6      Closing Date Acquisition.  The Closing Date Acquisition shall be consummated simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the closing under this Agreement in accordance with applicable Law and the Transaction Agreement, without giving effect to any amendment or modification thereof or waiver with respect thereto, in each case, in a manner materially adverse to the Lenders (in their capacities as such).

 

6.1.7      Rights Offering and Common Stock Issuance.  The Rights Offering and the Common Stock Issuance shall have been consummated simultaneously or substantially simultaneously in accordance with applicable Law and the Transaction Agreement.

 

6.1.8      Indebtedness and Liens.  After giving effect to the Transactions and the transactions contemplated hereby, Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall have outstanding no Indebtedness or preferred Capital Stock other than the Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.1 and no Liens on any of their assets other than the Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.2.

 

6.1.9      Opinion of Counsel.  There shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of each Lender a written opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (who may rely on the opinions of such other counsel as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent), relating to the Loan Documents, dated as of the Closing Date, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

 

6.1.10    Insurance Certificates.  The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect, together with the certificates of insurance, naming the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, as an additional insured or loss payee, as the case may be, under all insurance policies maintained by any Loan Party with respect to the assets and properties of the Loan Parties that constitutes Collateral.

 

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6.1.11    Payment of Costs and Expenses.  Borrower shall have paid or caused to be paid to the Administrative Agent for itself and for the account of the Lenders, the costs and expenses for which the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders are entitled to be reimbursed including, but not limited to, travel and due diligence expenses and reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and any other expenses payable by Borrower under Section 10.3, to the extent an invoice related to such fees and expenses are delivered to Borrower.

 

6.1.12    Patriot Act.  The Administrative Agent shall have received at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date all documentation and other information regarding Borrower and its Subsidiaries required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions, including without limitation, the Patriot Act.

 

7. COVENANTS

 

7.1         Affirmative Covenants.  Borrower covenants and agrees that until indefeasible payment in full of the Loan and interest thereon, satisfaction of all of the Borrower Affiliate Parties’ other Obligations under the Loan Documents (other than contingent indemnification obligations to the extent no claims giving rise thereto have been asserted) and termination of the Loan, Borrower shall comply and shall cause its Subsidiaries to comply at all times with the following affirmative covenants:

 

7.1.1      Preservation of Existence, Etc.  (a) Borrower shall maintain and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain its legal existence as a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company, and its license or qualification and good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the nature of its business makes such license or qualification necessary, except as otherwise expressly permitted in Section 7.2.5 and except where failure to do so would not cause or constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

(b)          Borrower shall maintain and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain all Property necessary to the normal conduct of its business and keep such Property in good repair, working order and condition and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith, if any, may be properly conducted at all times, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement and except where failure to do so would not cause or constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

7.1.2      Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, Etc.  Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, duly pay and discharge all of its Indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations to which it is subject or which are asserted against it, promptly as and when the same shall become due and payable, including all taxes, assessments and governmental charges upon it or any of its properties, assets, income or profits, prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, except to the extent that such Indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations, including taxes, assessments or charges, are being contested in good faith and by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted and for which such reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made, but only to the extent that failure to discharge any such Indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations would not constitute a Material Adverse Change and, in the case of a claim which could become a Lien on any Collateral, such contest proceedings shall stay the foreclosure of such Lien or the sale of any portion of the Collateral to satisfy such claim or such contest does not involve any risk of the sale, forfeiture or loss of any of any assets with an aggregate value in excess of $250,000.

 

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7.1.3      Maintenance of Insurance.  Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, insure its properties and assets against loss or damage by fire and such other insurable hazards as such assets are commonly insured (including fire, extended coverage, property damage, workers’ compensation, public liability and business interruption insurance) and against other risks (including errors and omissions) in such amounts as similar properties and assets are insured by prudent companies in similar circumstances carrying on similar businesses, and with reputable and financially sound insurers, including self-insurance to the extent customary.

 

7.1.4      Visitation Rights.  Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any of the officers or authorized employees or representatives of the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders to visit and inspect any of its properties and to examine and make excerpts from its books and records and discuss its business affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, all in such detail and at such times and as often as any of the Lenders may reasonably request with reasonable advance notice, during normal business hours and at such intervals as such Lenders shall desire.  At any time when the Lenders, collectively, do not possess the power, directly or indirectly (including under any stockholders’ or limited liability company agreement), to elect a majority of the directors of Borrower or at any time when there exists an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may (i) conduct up to three times annually at Borrower’s expense field audits of the Borrower Affiliate Parties’ businesses, properties and locations and (ii) may also at Borrower’s expense do so at any time (and from time to time) that there exists an Event of Default.

 

7.1.5      Keeping of Records and Books of Account.  Borrower shall maintain and keep proper books of record and account which enable Borrower and its Subsidiaries to issue financial statements in accordance with GAAP and as otherwise required by applicable Laws of any Official Body having jurisdiction over Borrower and in which full, true and correct entries shall be made in all material respects of all their dealings and business and financial affairs.

 

7.1.6      Compliance with Laws.  Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all applicable Laws in all material respects; provided, that it shall not be deemed to be a violation of this Section 7.1.6 if any failure to comply with any Law would not result in fines, penalties, remediation costs, other similar liabilities or injunctive relief which in the aggregate would constitute a Material Adverse Change.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, or limiting any other subsection of this Section 7.1, Borrower shall pay, and cause its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all taxes and other governmental charges against it or any Collateral, as well as claims of any kind which, if unpaid, could become a Lien on any of its property; provided, that the foregoing shall not require any Borrower Affiliate Party to pay any such tax or charge so long as it shall contest the validity thereof in good faith by appropriate proceedings and shall set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of a claim which could become a Lien on any Collateral, such contest proceedings shall stay the foreclosure of such Lien or the sale of any portion of the Collateral to satisfy such claim or such contest does not involve any risk of the sale, forfeiture or loss of any of any assets with an aggregate value in excess of $250,000.

 

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7.1.7      Use of Proceeds.   Borrower will, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (as applicable) to, use the proceeds of the Loan to (i) fund a portion of the Closing Date Acquisition as provided in the Transaction Agreement, (ii) pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and the funding of the Loan and (iii) provide for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes of Borrower and its Subsidiaries.  Borrower shall not use and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not use the proceeds of the Loan for any other purpose or purposes which contravene any applicable Law or any provision hereof.

 

7.1.8      Further Assurances; Additional Security.

 

(a)          Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (as applicable) to, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, Mortgages and other documents and recordings of Liens in stock registries), that may be required under any applicable Law, or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, to cause the Collateral and Guaranty Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the expense of Borrower, and provide to the Collateral Agent, from time to time upon reasonable request, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to the perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Security Documents.

 

(b)          If any asset (other than Real Property, which is covered by Section 7.1.8(c)) that has an individual Fair Market Value in an amount greater than $500,000 is acquired by Borrower or any other Loan Party after the Closing Date (in each case other than assets (x) constituting Collateral under a Security Document that become subject to the Lien of such Security Document upon acquisition thereof, (y) that are subject to permitted secured financing arrangements containing restrictions permitted by Section 7.2.12(x), pursuant to which a Lien on such assets securing the Obligations is not permitted or (z) that are not required to become subject to the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 7.1.8(f) or the Security Documents), Borrower will as promptly as practicable (and in any event within thirty (30) days of their acquisition, or such longer period as agreed to by the Collateral Agent) (i) notify the Collateral Agent thereof and (ii) take, or cause each of its Subsidiaries (as applicable) to take, such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in Section 7.1.8(a), all at the expense of Borrower.

 

(c)          Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the acquisition by Borrower or any Loan Party after the Closing Date of any fee interest in Real Property having a value or purchase price at the time of acquisition in excess of $500,000, and, upon the written request of the Collateral Agent (it being agreed that the Collateral Agent shall not make such request with respect to any Real Property Inventory unless a Default or Event of Default shall occur and be continuing), as promptly as practicable (and in any event within forty-five (45) days of such written request, or such longer period as agreed to by the Collateral Agent), cause the Collateral and Guaranty Requirements to be satisfied with respect to such Real Property (other than Real Property that (i) is subject to permitted secured financing arrangements containing restrictions permitted by Section 7.2.12(x), pursuant to which a Lien on such assets securing the Obligations is not permitted or (ii) are not required to become subject to the Liens of the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 7.1.8(f) or the Security Documents), subject to Section 7.1.8(f).

 

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(d)          If any additional direct or indirect Subsidiary of Borrower is formed or acquired after the Closing Date, Borrower shall, within thirty (30) days after the date such Subsidiary is formed or acquired, notify the Collateral Agent thereof and, within thirty (30) days after the date such Subsidiary is formed or acquired or such longer period as the Collateral Agent shall agree, cause the Collateral and Guaranty Requirement and the requirements of paragraph (c) above to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary and with respect to any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of Borrower or any other Loan Party.

 

(e)          Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (as applicable) to, furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt (and in any event within thirty (30) days after such change) written notice of any change (A) in any Loan Party’s corporate or organization name, (B) in any Loan Party’s identity or organizational structure or (C) in any Loan Party’s organizational identification number; provided, that Borrower shall not effect or permit any such change unless all filings have been made, or will have been made within any statutory period, under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise that are required in order for the Administrative Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral for the benefit of the applicable Secured Parties (to the extent intended to be created by the Security Documents).

 

(f)          The Collateral and Guaranty Requirement and the other provisions of this Section 7.1.8 need not be satisfied with respect to (i) any Real Property held by any Borrower Affiliate Party as a lessee under a lease; (ii) any Capital Stock acquired after the Closing Date in accordance with this Agreement if, and to the extent that, and for so long as (A) such Capital Stock constitutes less than 100% of all applicable Capital Stock issued by such Person and any of the Persons holding the remainder of the Capital Stock issued by such Person are not Borrower Party Affiliates, (B) doing so would violate or require a consent (that has not been obtained by the Loan Parties) under applicable Law or regulations or a contractual obligation binding on such Capital Stock and (C) the grant of a Lien securing the Obligations would be prohibited by Law or contractual obligation that existed at the time of the acquisition thereof and was not created or made binding on such Capital Stock in contemplation of or in connection with the acquisition of such Capital Stock; (iii) any assets acquired after the Closing Date, to the extent that, and for so long as, taking such actions would violate or require a consent (that has not been obtained by the Loan Parties) under applicable Law or regulations or a contractual obligation binding on such assets that, in the case of any such contractual obligation, existed at the time of the acquisition thereof and was not created or made binding on such assets in contemplation of or in connection with the acquisition of such assets (except in the case of assets acquired with Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.1(k) that is secured by a Lien permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.2); (iv) any assets that are subject to permitted secured financing arrangements containing restrictions permitted by Section 7.2.12(x), pursuant to which a Lien on such assets securing the Obligations is not permitted; (v) any Subsidiary or asset with respect to which the Administrative Agent determines that the cost of the satisfaction of the Collateral and Guaranty Requirement or the provisions of this Section 7.1.8 with respect thereto exceeds the value of the security afforded thereby; and (vi) any other Excluded Asset (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement).

 

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(g)          At the request of the Administrative Agent, the applicable Loan Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any consents as may be required under applicable Law or regulations or a contractual obligation binding on any applicable Capital Stock, referred to in Section 7.1.8(f)(ii)(B) above.

 

7.1.9      Environmental Compliance.  Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, comply with all Environmental Laws applicable to its operations and Properties; and comply with and obtain and renew all material permits, licenses and other approvals required pursuant to Environmental Law for its operations and Properties in each case in accordance with Environmental Laws, except, in each case, to the extent the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.1.10    Accounting and Financial Management.  Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to (a) maintain adequate management information and cost control systems, (b) maintain a system of accounting in which full and correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions and the assets and business of such Borrower in accordance with GAAP and (c) promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent a copy of any “management letter” or other similar communication received by Borrower from Borrower’s accountants relating to Borrower’s financial, accounting and other systems, management or Accounts.  In the event that Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries replace their existing auditors for any reason, Borrower shall appoint and maintain as auditors another firm of independent public accountants, which firm shall be nationally recognized and approved by the Lenders.

 

7.2         Negative Covenants.  Borrower covenants and agrees that until indefeasible payment in full of the Loan and interest thereon, satisfaction of all of the Borrower Affiliate Parties’ other Obligations under the Loan Documents (other than contingent indemnification obligations to the extent no claims giving rise thereto have been asserted) and termination of the Loan, Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, comply with the following negative covenants:

 

7.2.1      Indebtedness.  Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, at any time create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a)          (i) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 7.2.1, (ii) Specified Replacement Indebtedness and (iii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance Indebtedness referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 7.2.1(a);

 

(b)          Indebtedness created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;

 

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(c)          (i) Intercompany Indebtedness among the Loan Parties and (ii) any Guaranty by any Loan Party of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of any other Loan Party;

 

(d)          Indebtedness of the Borrower Affiliate Parties in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and completion guarantees and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)          Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or other cash management services in the ordinary course of business; provided, that (x) such Indebtedness (other than credit or purchase cards) is extinguished within ten (10) Business Days of notification to Borrower of its incurrence and (y) such Indebtedness in respect of credit or purchase cards is extinguished within sixty (60) days of notice to Borrower;

 

(f)          Indebtedness arising from agreements or arrangements of any Borrower Affiliate Party providing for indemnification (including indemnification of current or former directors, officers or employees), adjustment of purchase or acquisition price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary not prohibited by this Agreement, other than Guaranty of Indebtedness incurred by any person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

 

(g)          Indebtedness not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, warehouse receipts or similar instruments issued to support performance obligations and trade letters of credit (other than obligations in respect of other Indebtedness) in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)          Indebtedness of any of the Borrower Affiliate Parties incurred under cash management services (including, but not limited to, intraday, ACH and purchasing card/T&E services) established for the Borrower Affiliate Parties’ ordinary course of operations;

 

(i)          Indebtedness consisting of obligations of any Borrower Affiliate Party under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred by such Person in connection with any Investment permitted hereunder;

 

(j)          Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings and purchase money Indebtedness incurred by any Borrower Affiliate Party in order to finance the acquisition, development, improvement or construction of the respective assets, not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding, and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

(k)          Specified Deferred Purchase Price Debt; and

 

(l)          Indebtedness of any Builder Subsidiary to any Borrower Affiliate Party incurred in the ordinary course of business to finance such Builder Subsidiary’s lot option contracts and operating expenses; provided, that such Indebtedness shall not exceed $150,000,000 at any time outstanding.

 

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7.2.2      Liens.  Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, at any time create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its property or assets, tangible or intangible, now owned or hereafter acquired, or agree or become obligated to do so, except for any Permitted Liens; provided, however, that Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, at any time create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its Real Property Inventory, now owned or hereafter acquired, or agree to become liable to do so, to secure any Indebtedness, except for the Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.2.1(a), Section 7.2.1(b) or Section 7.2.1(j) hereunder.

 

7.2.3      Loans and Investments.  Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, at any time make or suffer to remain outstanding any Investment in any other Person, or agree, become or remain liable to make any such Investment, except for:

 

(a)          Investments existing on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 7.2.3;

 

(b)          (i) intercompany Indebtedness among the Loan Parties; and (ii) any Guaranty by any Loan Party of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of any other Loan Party;

 

(c)          Permitted Investments;

 

(d)          trade credit extended on usual and customary terms in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)          advances to employees to meet expenses incurred by such employees on behalf of the Borrower Affiliate Parties in the ordinary course of business;

 

(f)          Investments by the Borrower Affiliate Parties not otherwise permitted hereunder; provided, that the aggregate amount of all such outstanding Investments shall not exceed $300,000 at any time;

 

(g)          other Investments in or to Subsidiaries of Borrower; provided, that such Investments in Subsidiaries of Borrower that are not Guarantors shall not exceed $500,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(h)          Investments to purchase lots, land and other Real Property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(i)          provision of home construction loan financing in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to financing provided by any Borrower Affiliate Party to any Builder Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(j)          loans to, or Guaranties to support Indebtedness of, Builder Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 at any time outstanding.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, at any time on or after the Closing Date make any Investment in any of the Dormant Subsidiaries other than any Investment to enable any of the Dormant Subsidiaries to pay franchise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain or dissolve its corporate existence.

 

7.2.4      Dividends and Related Distributions.  Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not make or pay, or agree to become or remain liable to make or pay, any dividend or other distribution of any nature (whether in cash, property, securities or otherwise) on account of or in respect of its shares of Capital Stock on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement or acquisition of its shares of Capital Stock (or warrants, options or rights therefor), except the payment of any dividend or distribution by a Subsidiary of Borrower to the holders of its Capital Stock on a pro rata basis.

 

7.2.5      Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions.  Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, dissolve, liquidate or wind-up its affairs, or become a party to any merger or consolidation, or acquire by purchase, lease or otherwise all or substantially all of the assets or Capital Stock of any other Person, in each case except as permitted by Section 7.1.1.

 

7.2.6      Dispositions of Assets or Subsidiaries.  Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not sell, convey, assign, lease, abandon or otherwise transfer or dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily, any of its properties or assets, tangible or intangible (including sale, assignment, discount or other disposition of Accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, equipment or general intangibles with or without recourse or of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary of Borrower), except:

 

(a)          transactions involving the sale of Inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)          any sale, transfer or lease of assets in the ordinary course of business which are no longer necessary or required in the conduct of a Borrower Affiliate Party’s business;

 

(c)          any sale, transfer or lease of assets in the ordinary course of business which are replaced by substitute assets acquired;

 

(d)          sales of Permitted Investments prior to the maturity thereof;

 

(e)          Land Bank Transactions;

 

(f)          transfers of assets among the Loan Parties; and

 

(g)          dividends, distributions, return of capital or other payments to equity owners in respect of Capital Stock and redemptions of Capital Stock or withdrawals of capital by a member in a Borrower Affiliate Party permitted under Section 7.2.3 and Section 7.2.4.

 

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7.2.7      Affiliate Transactions.  Borrower shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to not enter into or carry out any transaction with any Affiliate of any Borrower Affiliate Party (including purchasing property or services from or selling property or services) except for:

 

(a)          transactions not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement and entered into in the ordinary course of business upon fair and reasonable arm’s-length terms and conditions and in accordance with all applicable Law;

 

(b)          transactions with Affiliates entered into prior to the Closing Date and described on Schedule 7.2.7 hereto;

 

(c)          Affiliate Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2.1;

 

(d)          Affiliate Liens permitted by Section 7.2.2;

 

(e)          Investments in Affiliates permitted by Section 7.2.3;

 

(f)          dividends and distributions which are permitted by Section 7.2.4 and the agreements pursuant to which such dividends and distributions are required to be made;

 

(g)          loans to employees permitted by Section 7.2.3;

 

(h)          reimbursement of employee travel and lodging costs incurred in the ordinary course of the Borrower Affiliate Parties’ business;

 

(i)          payment of customary director’s fees to one or more independent directors of the Borrower Affiliate Parties; and

 

(j)          employment agreements, equity incentive agreements and other employee, director and management arrangements in the ordinary course of business which are fully disclosed to the Administrative Agent.

 

7.2.8      Continuation of or Change in Business.  Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, engage in any business other than (i) any business or business activity conducted by it on the Closing Date and any business or business activities incidental or related thereto, (ii) any business or business activity that is reasonably similar thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto and (iii) any business or business activity that the senior management of Borrower deems beneficial for Borrower or such Subsidiary.

 

7.2.9      Fiscal Year.  Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not change its fiscal year from the twelve-month period ending December 31.

 

7.2.10    Issuance of Stock.  Borrower shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not issue any additional shares of their Capital Stock or any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof (other than any such issuances to any holders of such Subsidiaries’ Capital Stock as of the date hereof).

 

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7.2.11    Changes in Documents.  Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, amend in any material respect their certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, by-laws, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents; without providing at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and, in the event such change would be adverse to the Lenders as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, without obtaining the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.

 

7.2.12    Inconsistent Agreements.  Borrower shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not, and shall not permit any other Borrower Affiliate Party to, enter into any agreement containing any provision which would (a) be violated or breached by any borrowing by Borrower hereunder or by the performance by any Borrower Affiliate Party of any of its Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document; (b) prohibit Borrower from granting to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a Lien on any of its assets; (c) restrict, or purport to restrict, the ability of any Borrower Affiliate Party to (i) amend this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) sell any of its assets or (iii) create or incur Indebtedness; or (d) create or permit to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary of Borrower to (i) pay dividends or make other distributions to Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Borrower, or pay any Indebtedness owed to Borrower or any other Subsidiary, (ii) make loans or advances to any Borrower Affiliate Party or (iii) transfer any of its assets or properties to any Borrower Affiliate Party; other than (w) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of all or a substantial part of the assets of any Subsidiary pending such sale, provided, that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (x) restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to purchase money Indebtedness, capital leases and other secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (y) customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof and (z) any agreement relating to Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.2.1(a).

 

7.2.13    ERISA.  Neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate of Borrower shall at any time establish, maintain, contribute to or be required or permitted to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan or any Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA.

 

7.2.14    Foreign Subsidiaries.  The Borrower shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to not establish, create or acquire directly or indirectly any Foreign Subsidiaries.

 

7.2.15    Hedging Arrangements.  No Borrower Affiliate Party shall enter into any Rate Management Transaction for speculative purposes.

 

7.2.16    Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  The Loan Parties shall not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (i) as of the last day of any fiscal quarter in which all or a portion of the interest on the Loan for such fiscal quarter is paid in kind (the “PIK Quarter”) in accordance with Section 4.3.1 hereof, for the period of four fiscal quarters ending on such date to be less than 0.80 to 1.00 and (ii) as of the last day of any fiscal quarter other than an PIK Quarter, for the period of four fiscal quarters ending on such date to be less than 1.20 to 1.00, in each case of (i) and (ii) beginning with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2014. For the avoidance of doubt, there shall not be more than four PIK Quarters.

 

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7.3         Reporting Requirements.  Borrower covenants and agrees that until payment in full of the Obligations and interest thereon, Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (as applicable) to furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent, and, upon the reasonable request of any Lender, to such Lender:

 

7.3.1      Quarterly Financial Statements.  As soon as available and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each quarterly fiscal period of Borrower (other than the fourth quarter of each fiscal year), a copy of the complete unaudited, consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flow of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and the related unaudited, consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such period, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding period in the preceding fiscal year, if any, accompanied by (i) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such quarterly period and (ii) a certificate of an Authorized Officer, which certificate shall state that said financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, as at the end of, and for, such periods (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments); provided, that filing such financial statements with the SEC shall satisfy the requirements of this subsection.

 

7.3.2      Annual Financial Statements.  As soon as available and in any event within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, a copy of the complete audited, consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flow of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and the related audited, consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and any related audit letter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding fiscal year, and accompanied by (i) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such fiscal year and (ii) an unqualified opinion thereon of Grant Thornton LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing, which opinion shall state that said financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as at the end of, and for, such fiscal year in accordance with GAAP, and (only to the extent permitted by accounting industry policies generally followed by independent certified public accounts) a certificate of the accountants (which, when furnished by an accounting firm, may be limited to accounting matters and disclaim responsibility for legal interpretations) to Borrower stating that, in making the examination necessary for their opinion, they obtained no knowledge, except as specifically stated, of any Event of Default; provided, that filing such financial statements with the SEC shall satisfy the requirements of this subsection.

 

7.3.3      Certificates of Borrower.  At the time Borrower furnishes each set of financial statements pursuant to Section 7.3.1 or Section 7.3.2, (i) an officer’s certificate executed by an Authorized Officer to the effect that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or, if any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, describing the same in reasonable detail and describing what action Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto) and (ii) a compliance certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, signed by the chief financial officer of Borrower on behalf of the Loan Parties demonstrating in reasonable detail compliance (or noncompliance, as the case may be) with Section 7.2.17 for and as of the end of such period.

 

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7.3.4      Notice of Default.  Promptly after any officer or director of any Borrower Affiliate Party knows or has a reasonable basis to believe that any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a written notice of such event describing the same in detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and, together with such notice, a description of what action such Borrower Affiliate Party has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

7.3.5      Certain Events.  Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, promptly, but in any event no later than ten (10) Business Days after any officer or director obtains knowledge thereof (except if expressly stated differently below), give to the Administrative Agent written notice of:

 

(a)          the filing or commencement of, or any written threat or notice of intention of any person to file or commence, any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any Official Body or in arbitration, against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as to which an adverse determination is reasonably probable and that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(b)          at least thirty (30) calendar days prior thereto, with respect to any change in any Borrower Affiliate Parties’ chief executive offices;

 

(c)          any litigation or proceeding affecting any Borrower Affiliate Party, in which the amount involved is $250,000 or more or in which injunctive, declaratory or similar relief is requested;

 

(d)          the discovery of any Hazardous Materials on the Real Properties or any other condition that could give rise to a material violation of or liability under any Environmental Law or of any Environmental Claim against or affecting any Borrower Affiliate Party;

 

(e)          the development of any ERISA Event that, together with all other ERISA Events that have developed or occurred, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(f)          any casualty, damage or loss to any Property of any Borrower Affiliate Party, whether or not insured, through fire, theft, other hazard or event, in excess of $250,000 for any one casualty or loss or $1,000,000 in the aggregate in any calendar year; and

 

(g)          any other event, circumstance, development or condition which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice pursuant to this Section 7.3.5 shall be accompanied by a statement signed by an Authorized Officer setting forth a description in reasonable detail of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

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7.3.6      Other Information.  Borrower shall deliver from time to time, such other information regarding the financial condition, operations, business or prospects of any Borrower Affiliate Party, and information required under the Patriot Act, as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

7.3.7      Annual Budget. Within ninety (90) days after the beginning of each fiscal year, a reasonably detailed consolidated annual budget for such fiscal year and, as soon as available, significant revisions, if any, of such budget and annual projects with respect to such fiscal year, including a description of underlying assumptions with respect thereto.

 

8. DEFAULT

 

8.1         Events of Default.  An “Event of Default” shall mean the occurrence or existence of any one or more of the following events or conditions (whatever the reason therefor and whether voluntary, involuntary or effected by operation of Law):

 

8.1.1      Payments Under Loan Documents.  Borrower shall fail to pay (i) any principal of or interest on the Loan (including mandatory prepayments or the payment due at maturity), when such principal becomes due or, in the case of interest only, within three (3) Business Days after the same becomes due or (ii) any other amount owing hereunder or under the other Loan Documents within five (5) days after such other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof;

 

8.1.2      Breach of Warranty.  Any representation, warranty or certification made (or deemed made) at any time by the Borrower Affiliate Parties herein or by the Borrower Affiliate Parties in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, other instrument or statement furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof or thereof, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made if such representation, warranty or certification continues to be false or misleading in any material respect as of the date in question, and if the circumstances that rendered such representation, warranty or certification false or misleading shall be continuing for more than thirty (30) days after the earlier of any Authorized Officer having knowledge thereof or receiving notice thereof from any Lender or the Administrative Agent;

 

8.1.3      Breach of Certain Covenants.  Borrower shall default in the observance or performance of any covenant contained in Section 7.1.1, Section 7.1.3, Section 7.2.1, Section 7.2.2, Section 7.2.3, Section 7.2.4, Section 7.2.5, Section 7.2.6, Section 7.2.9 or Section 7.2.12, and any of the foregoing defaults shall continue unremedied for a period of ten (10) days after the earlier of any Authorized Officer having knowledge of the occurrence thereof or receiving notice of the occurrence thereof from any Lender or the Administrative Agent;

 

8.1.4      Breach of Other Covenants.  Any of the Borrower Affiliate Parties shall default in the observance or performance of any other covenant, condition or provision hereof not covered by Section 8.1.1, Section 8.1.2 or Section 8.1.3 or of any other Loan Document, and any of the foregoing defaults shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the earlier of any Authorized Officer having knowledge of the occurrence thereof or receiving notice of the occurrence thereof from any Lender or the Administrative Agent; provided, that if (i) such failure cannot be cured within such 30-day period, (ii) such failure is susceptible of cure, (iii) Borrower and any other applicable Borrower Affiliate Party is proceeding with diligence and in good faith to cure such failure, (iv) the existence of such failure does not impair the Liens on the Collateral, (v) the existence of such failure has not had and cannot, after considering the nature of the proposed cure, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (vi) the Administrative Agent shall have received an officer’s certificate executed by an Authorized Officer to the effect of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above and stating what actions such Borrower and any applicable Borrower Affiliate Party is taking to cure such failure, then the time within which such failure may be cured shall be extended to such date, not to exceed a total of sixty (60) days after the end of such 30-day period, as shall be necessary for such Borrower and any applicable Borrower Affiliate Party diligently to cure such failure;

 

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8.1.5      Defaults in Other Agreements or Indebtedness.  (A) A default or event of default shall occur at any time under the terms of any (i) master lease agreement for any Borrower Affiliate Party’s commercial vehicles or real property lease which involves the payment of aggregate amounts in excess of $250,000 and which entitles the lessor thereunder to terminate or accelerate such lease (after giving effect to any applicable cure periods under such lease) or (ii) any other agreement involving borrowed money or the extension of credit or any other Indebtedness under which any Borrower Affiliate Party may be obligated as a borrower or guarantor in an aggregate amount in excess of $250,000 or (B) failure to pay any Indebtedness (after giving effect to any applicable cure periods under such Indebtedness) in an aggregate amount in excess of $250,000 when due and payable (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) or if such breach or default permits or causes the acceleration of any Indebtedness (whether or not such right shall have been waived) or the termination of any commitment to lend; provided that this clause (B) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due and payable as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness;

 

8.1.6      Final Judgments or Orders.  Any final judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of $2,000,000 in the aggregate (exclusive of amounts covered by insurance) shall be entered against any Borrower Affiliate Party by a court having jurisdiction in the premises, which judgment is not discharged, vacated, bonded or stayed pending appeal within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of entry;

 

8.1.7      Loan Document Unenforceable.  (i) Any material provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason be asserted in writing by Borrower or any other Loan Party (or, in the case of any Security Document with respect to the pledge of Capital Stock of any Loan Party, the pledgor thereunder) not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any party thereto, (ii) any security interest purported to be created by any Security Document and to extend to assets that are material to Borrower and the other Loan Parties on a consolidated basis or the Capital Stock of the Loan Parties, shall cease to be, or shall be asserted in writing by Borrower or any other Loan Party (or, in the case of any Security Document with respect to the pledge of Capital Stock of any Loan Party, the pledgor thereunder) not to be, a valid and perfected security interest (perfected as or having the priority required by this Agreement or the relevant Security Document and subject to such limitations and restrictions as are set forth herein and therein) in the securities, assets or properties covered thereby, except from the failure of the Administrative Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Pledge and Security Agreement or to file Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements and except to the extent that such loss is covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied with the credit of such insurer or (iii) the Guaranty pursuant to the Security Documents by any Guarantor of any of the Obligations shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms thereof), or shall be asserted in writing by any Guarantor not to be in effect or not to be legal, valid and binding obligations;

 

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8.1.8      Insolvency.  Any Borrower Affiliate Party admits in writing its inability to pay its debt as they mature;

 

8.1.9      Cessation of Business.  Any Borrower Affiliate Party ceases to conduct its business as contemplated, except as expressly permitted under Section 7.1.1, 7.2.5 or 7.2.6, or any Borrower Affiliate Party is enjoined, restrained or in any way prevented by court order from conducting all or any material part of its business and such injunction, restraint or other preventive order is not dismissed within thirty (30) days after the entry thereof;

 

8.1.10    Change of Control.  A Change of Control shall occur;

 

8.1.11    ERISA Event.  One or more ERISA Events occur that individually or in the aggregate result in liability to any Loan Party in an aggregate amount that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

8.1.12    Involuntary Proceedings.  A proceeding shall have been instituted in a court having jurisdiction in the premises seeking a decree or order for relief in respect of any Borrower Affiliate Party an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or similar official) of any Borrower Affiliate Party for any substantial part of its property, or for the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days or such court shall enter a decree or order granting any of the relief sought in such proceeding; or

 

8.1.13    Voluntary Proceedings.  Any Borrower Affiliate Party shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or other similar official) of itself or for any substantial part of its property or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

 

8.2         Consequences of Event of Default.

 

8.2.1      Events of Default Other Than Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings.  If any Event of Default specified under Sections 8.1.1 through 8.1.11 shall occur and be continuing, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent may during the continuance of such Event of Default, and upon the request of the Required Lenders during the continuance of such Event of Default shall, by written notice to Borrower, declare the unpaid principal amount of the Notes and Obligations then outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, any unpaid fees and all other Indebtedness of Borrower to the Lenders hereunder and thereunder to be forthwith due and payable, and the same shall thereupon become and be immediately due and payable to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of each Lender without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived.

 

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8.2.2      Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings.  If an Event of Default specified under Section 8.1.12 or 8.1.13 shall occur, the unpaid principal amount of the Loan then outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, any unpaid fees and all other Indebtedness of Borrower to the Lenders hereunder and thereunder shall be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived.

 

8.2.3      Suits, Actions, Proceedings.  If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, and whether or not the Administrative Agent shall have accelerated the maturity of the Loan pursuant to any of the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, if owed any amount with respect to the Loan, may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity, action at law and/or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents and, if such amount shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, proceed to enforce the payment thereof or any other legal or equitable right of the Administrative Agent or such Lender.

 

8.2.4      Application of Proceeds.  From and after the date on which the Administrative Agent has taken any action pursuant to this Section 8.2 and until all Obligations of the Borrower Affiliate Parties have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations to the extent no claims giving rise thereto have been asserted), any and all proceeds received by the Administrative Agent or any Lender from any sale or other disposition of the Collateral, or any part thereof, or the exercise of any other remedy by the Administrative Agent, shall be applied as follows:

 

(a)          first, to reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for out-of-pocket costs, expenses and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses, incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with realizing on the Collateral or collection of any Obligations of the Borrower Affiliate Parties under any of the Loan Documents, including advances made by the Lenders or any one of them or the Administrative Agent for the maintenance, preservation, protection or enforcement of, or realization upon, the Collateral, including advances for taxes, insurance, repairs and the like and expenses incurred to sell or otherwise realize on, or prepare for sale or other realization on, any of the Collateral;

 

(b)          second, to the repayment of all Indebtedness then due and unpaid of the Borrower Affiliate Parties to the Lenders incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, whether of principal, interest, fees, expenses or otherwise, in such manner as the Administrative Agent may determine in its discretion, in each case to be allocated among the Lenders in accordance with their Ratable Share; and

 

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(c)          the balance, if any, to Borrower or as otherwise as required by Law.

 

8.2.5      Other Rights and Remedies.  In addition to all of the rights and remedies contained in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Law, all of which rights and remedies shall be cumulative and non-exclusive, to the extent permitted by Law.  The Administrative Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Lenders shall, exercise all post-default rights granted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable Law.

 

9. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT and the Collateral Agent

 

9.1         Appointment.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to act as agent for such Lender under this Agreement and to execute and deliver or accept on behalf of each of the Lenders the other Loan Documents.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes, and each holder of any Note by the acceptance of a Note shall be deemed irrevocably to authorize, the Agents to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other instruments and agreements referred to herein, and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the Agents by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Each Agent agrees to act as agent on behalf of the Lenders to the extent provided in this Agreement.

 

9.2         Duties; Delegation of Duties.  Each Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder by or through agents or employees (provided such delegation does not constitute a relinquishment of its duties as Agent) and, subject to Sections 9.5 and 9.6, shall be entitled to engage and pay for the advice or services of any attorneys, accountants or other experts concerning all matters pertaining to its duties hereunder and to rely upon any advice so obtained.

 

9.2.1      Collateral Matters.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Lenders irrevocably authorize the Collateral Agent, at its option and in its discretion, (a) to release any Lien granted to or held by the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon payment in full of the Loan and all other obligations of the Borrower Affiliate Parties hereunder, (ii) constituting property sold or to be sold or disposed of as part of or in connection with any disposition permitted hereunder, or (iii) subject to Section 10.1.2, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders; or (b) with the prior written consent of Required Lenders, to subordinate its interest in any collateral to any holder of a Lien on such collateral which is permitted by Section 7.2.2, it being understood that the Collateral Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate from the Borrower Affiliate Parties in determining whether the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien is permitted by Section 7.2.1.  Upon request by the Collateral Agent at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing the Collateral Agent’s authority to release, or subordinate its interest in, particular types or items of collateral pursuant to this Section 9.2.1.

 

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9.2.2      Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.  Without limiting the foregoing, in case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Borrower Affiliate Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of the Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a)          to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loan, and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under this Agreement) allowed in such judicial proceedings; and

 

(b)          to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due that are owed to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

9.3         Nature of Duties; Independent Credit Investigation.  The Agents shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations, or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or otherwise exist except as otherwise provided for under applicable Law.  The duties of the Agents shall be mechanical and administrative in nature; the Agents shall not have by reason of this Agreement a fiduciary or trust relationship in respect of any Lender; and nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon the Agents any obligations in respect of this Agreement except as expressly set forth herein.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement with reference to any Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law.  Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.  Each Lender expressly acknowledges (i) that the Agents have not made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower Affiliate Parties, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by such Agent to any Lender; (ii) that it has made and will continue to make, without reliance upon the Agents, its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs and its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Borrower Affiliate Parties in connection with this Agreement and the making and continuance of the Loan hereunder; and (iii) except as expressly provided herein, that the Agents shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto.

 

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9.4         Actions in Discretion of Agents; Instructions From the Lenders.  Each Agent agrees, upon the written request of the Required Lenders, to take or refrain from taking any action of the type specified as being within such Agent’s rights, powers or discretion herein; provided, that the Agents shall not be required to take any action which exposes them to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable Law.  In the absence of a request by the Required Lenders, each Agent shall have authority, in its sole discretion, to take or not to take any such action, unless this Agreement specifically requires the consent of the Required Lenders or all of the Lenders.  Any action taken or failure to act pursuant to such instructions or discretion shall be binding on the Lenders, subject to Section 9.5.  Subject to the provisions of Section 9.5, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Agents as a result of the Agents acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders, or in the absence of such instructions, in the absolute discretion of the Agents.

 

9.5         Exculpatory Provisions; Limitation of Liability.  No Agent and none of its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys or Affiliates shall (a) be liable to any Lender for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder, or in connection herewith including pursuant to any Loan Document, unless caused by its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct, (b) be responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for the effectiveness, enforceability, genuineness, validity or the due execution of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or for any recital, representation, warranty, document, certificate, report or statement herein or made or furnished under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or (c) be under any obligation to any of the Lenders to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions hereof or thereof on the part of the Borrower Affiliate Parties, or the financial condition of the Borrower Affiliate Parties, or the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default or Default. No claim may be made by any Borrower Affiliate Party, any Lender, any Agent or any of their respective Subsidiaries against any Agent, any Lender or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys or Affiliates, or any of them, for any special, indirect or consequential damages or, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, for any punitive damages in respect of any claim or cause of action (whether based on contract, tort, statutory liability, or any other ground) based on, arising out of or related to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or any act, omission or event occurring in connection therewith, including the negotiation, documentation, administration or collection of the Loan, and the Borrower Affiliate Parties, the Agents and each Lender hereby waive, release and agree never to sue upon any claim for any such damages, whether such claim now exists or hereafter arises and whether or not it is now known or suspected to exist in its favor.  Each Lender agrees that, except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Agents hereunder or given to the Agents for the account of or with copies for the Lenders, the Agents and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys or Affiliates shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of the Borrower Affiliate Parties which may come into the possession of the Agents or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys or Affiliates.

 

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9.6         Reimbursement and Indemnification of Agents by Lenders.  Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, each Lender agrees to reimburse and indemnify each Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by Borrower and without limiting the Obligation of Borrower to do so) in proportion to its Ratable Share from and against all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements (including the allocated costs of staff counsel), and costs of appraisers and environmental consultants, of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent, in its capacity as such, in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted by such Agent hereunder or thereunder; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements if the same results from such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.  In addition, each Lender agrees promptly upon demand to reimburse each Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by Borrower and without limiting the Obligation of Borrower to do so) in proportion to its Ratable Share for all amounts due and payable by Borrower to such Agent in connection with such Agent’s periodic audit of the Borrower Affiliate Parties’ books, records and business properties.  No action taken in accordance with the directions of the Required Lenders shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section.  Without limitation the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse each Agent upon demand for its Ratable Share of any costs or out of pocket expenses (including attorney costs and taxes) incurred by such Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that such Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of Borrower.  The undertaking in this Section 9.6 shall survive repayment of the Loan, cancellation of the Notes, any foreclosure under, or modification, release or discharge of, any or all of the Loan Documents, termination of this Agreement and the resignation or replacement of any Agent.

 

9.7         Reliance by Agents.  Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any writing, telegram or teletype message, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, letter, cablegram, statement, order or other document or conversation by telephone or otherwise believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon the advice and opinions of counsel and other professional advisers selected by such Agent.  Each Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action hereunder unless it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.

 

9.8         Notice of Default.  No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless such Agent has received written notice from a Lender or Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.”

 

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9.9         Notices.  The Agents shall promptly send to each Lender a copy of all notices received from Borrower pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents promptly upon receipt thereof.

 

9.10       Lenders and Agents in Their Individual Capacities.  With respect to any Commitment of one of its Affiliates, the Term Loan, and any other rights and powers given to an Affiliate of an Agent as a Lender hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, any such Affiliate shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Affiliate of an Agent.  Each Agent and its Affiliates and each of the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may, without liability to account, except as prohibited herein, make loans to, acquire Capital Stock of, discount drafts for, act as trustee under indentures of, and generally engage in any kind of lending trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other business with, the Borrower Affiliate Parties and their Affiliates, in the case of each Agent, as though such Agent were not acting as agent hereunder and in the case of each Lender, as though such Lender were not a Lender hereunder, in each case without notice to or consent of the other Lenders.  The Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, each Agent or its Affiliates may (i) receive information regarding the Borrower Affiliate Parties or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of the Borrower Affiliate Parties or such Subsidiary or Affiliate) and acknowledge that each Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such information to them and (ii) accept fees and other consideration from the Borrower Affiliate Parties for services in connection with this Agreement and otherwise without having to account for the same to the Lenders.

 

9.11       Holders of Notes.  The Administrative Agent may deem and treat any payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent.  Any request, authority or consent of any Person who at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of such Note or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

9.12       Equalization of Lenders.  The Lenders and the holders of any participations in any Notes agree among themselves that, with respect to all amounts received by any Lender or any such holder for application on any Obligation hereunder or under any Note or under any such participation, whether received by voluntary payment, by realization upon security, by the exercise of the right of set-off, by counterclaim or by any other non-pro rata source, equitable adjustment will be made in the manner stated in the following sentence so that, in effect, all such excess amounts will be shared ratably among the Lenders and such holders in proportion to their interests in payments under the Notes, except as otherwise provided in Section 4.8.  The Lenders or any such holder receiving any such amount shall return any proceeds to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall distribute said proceeds based on each Lender’s Ratable Share.

 

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9.13       Successor Agent.  Each Agent may resign as Agent by giving not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Lenders and Borrower. If an Agent shall resign under this Agreement, then either (i) the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor Agent for the Lenders, subject to the consent of Borrower, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, or (ii) if a successor Agent shall not be so appointed and approved within the thirty (30) day period following the resigning Agent’s notice to the Lenders of its resignation, then the resigning Agent shall appoint, with the consent of Borrower, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, a successor Agent who shall serve as Agent until such time as the Required Lenders appoint, and Borrower consents to the appointment of, a successor Agent.  Upon its appointment pursuant to either clause (i) or (ii) above, such successor Agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the resigning Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” or “Collateral Agent”, as applicable, shall mean such successor Agent, effective upon its appointment, and the resigning Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated without any other or further act or deed on the part of such resigning Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement.  After the resignation of any Agent hereunder, the provisions of this Article 9 shall inure to the benefit of such resigning Agent and such resigning Agent shall not by reason of such resignation be deemed to be released from liability for any actions taken or not taken by it while it was an Agent under this Agreement.

 

9.14       Availability of Funds.  The Administrative Agent may assume that each Lender has made or will make the proceeds of the Loan available to the Administrative Agent unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by such Lender on or before the close of business on the Business Day preceding the Closing Date with respect to the Loan.  The Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption (but shall not be required to), make available to Borrower a corresponding amount.  If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender (or, if such Lender fails to pay such amount forthwith upon such demand from Borrower) together with interest thereon, in respect of each day during the period commencing on the date such amount was made available to Borrower and ending on the date the Administrative Agent recovers such amount, at a rate per annum equal to the Interest Rate.

 

9.15       Calculations.  In the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any error in computing the amount payable to any Lender whether in respect of the Loan, fees or any other amounts due to the Lenders under this Agreement.  In the event an error in computing any amount payable to any Lender is made, the Administrative Agent, Borrower and each affected Lender shall, forthwith upon discovery of such error, make such adjustments as shall be required to correct such error, and any compensation therefor will be calculated at the Interest Rate.

 

9.16       Beneficiaries.  Except as expressly provided herein or as required by applicable law, the provisions of this Article 9 are solely for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, and the Borrower Affiliate Parties shall not have any rights to rely on or enforce any of the provisions hereof.  In performing its functions and duties under this Agreement, each Agent shall act solely as agent of the Lenders and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation toward or relationship of agency or trust with or for any of the Borrower Affiliate Parties.

 

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10. MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.1       Modifications, Amendments or Waivers.  With the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, acting on its own behalf and on behalf of all the Lenders, and the Borrower Affiliate Parties, may from time to time enter into written agreements amending or changing any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the rights of the Lenders or the Borrower Affiliate Parties hereunder or thereunder, or may grant written waivers or consents to a departure from the due performance of the Obligations of the Borrower Affiliate Parties hereunder or thereunder.  Any such agreement, waiver or consent made with such written consent shall be effective to bind all the Lenders and the Borrower Affiliate Parties; provided, that without the written consent of all the Lenders, no such agreement, waiver or consent may be made which will:

 

10.1.1    Extension of Payment; Reduction of Principal, Interest or Fees; Modification of Terms of Payment.  Extend the time for payment of principal or interest of the Loan or any fee payable to any Lender, or reduce the principal amount of or the rate of interest borne by the Loan or any fee payable to any Lender, or otherwise affect the terms of payment of the principal of or interest of the Loan or any fee payable to any Lender (it being understood that a waiver of the application of the Default Rate of interest pursuant to Section 3.2 shall require only the approval of the Required Lenders);

 

10.1.2    Release of Collateral.  Except for sales of assets permitted by Section 7.2.6, or as a result of any merger or consolidation permitted by Section 7.2.5, release any material Collateral or any other security for any of the Borrower Affiliate Parties’ Obligations; or

 

10.1.3    Miscellaneous.  Amend Sections 4.2, 9.5 or 9.12 or this Section 10.1, alter any provision regarding the pro rata treatment of the Lenders, change the definition of Required Lenders, or change any requirement providing for the Lenders or the Required Lenders to authorize the taking of any action hereunder; provided, further, that no agreement, waiver or consent which would modify the interests, rights or obligations of the Administrative Agent in its capacity as Administrative Agent shall be effective without the written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

10.2       No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies; Writing Required.  No course of dealing and no delay or failure of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power, remedy or privilege under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any other or future exercise thereof or operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power, remedy or privilege preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power, remedy or privilege.  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement and any other Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have.  Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any Lender of any breach or default under this Agreement or any such waiver of any provision or condition of this Agreement must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.

 

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10.3       Reimbursement and Indemnification of Lenders by Borrower; Taxes.  Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, Borrower agrees to pay promptly (i) all of its reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses of negotiation, preparation and execution of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto; (ii) all costs and expenses of furnishing all opinions by counsel for Borrower (including any opinions requested by Administrative Agent or Lenders as to any legal matters arising hereunder) and of Borrower’s performance of and compliance with all agreements and conditions on its part to be performed or complied with under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents including with respect to confirming compliance with environmental, insurance and solvency requirements; (iii) all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel (including, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction) to each Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and administration of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto and any other documents or matters requested by Borrower or any other Borrower Affiliate Party, provided that all such reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel to Agents and Lenders in connection with negotiation, preparation and execution of the Loan Documents on or prior to the Closing Date, and any ancillary documents or security arrangements in connection therewith (other than any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications to the Loan Documents), shall not exceed in aggregate $500,000; (iv) all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of one counsel (including, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction) to the Lenders in connection with the administration of the Loan Documents and the negotiation, preparation, execution and administration of any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications to the Loan Documents and any other documents or matters requested by Borrower or any other Borrower Affiliate Party; (v) all costs and expenses of creating and perfecting Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf of Secured Parties, including filing and recording fees, expenses and taxes, stamp or documentary taxes, search fees, title insurance premiums, if applicable, and reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel (including, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction) to each Agent and of counsel (including, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction) providing any opinions that an Agent or Required Lenders may request in respect of the Collateral or the Liens created pursuant thereto; (vi) all costs and expenses incurred by the Agents in connection with the custody or preservation of any of the Collateral; (vii) all other costs and expenses incurred on or before the Closing Date by the Agents; (viii) all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and fees, costs and expenses of accountants, advisors and consultants, incurred by the Agents and their respective counsel relating to efforts to (a) evaluate or assess any Borrower Affiliate Party, its business or financial condition and (b) protect, evaluate, assess or dispose of the Collateral; and (ix) all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, fees, costs and expenses of accountants, advisors and consultants and costs of settlement, incurred by the Agents and Lenders in enforcing any Obligations of or in collecting any payments due from any Borrower Affiliate Party hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (including in connection with the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Loan Documents) or in connection with any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided under this Agreement in the nature of a “work-out” or pursuant to any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings.  Borrower agrees unconditionally to save the Agents and the Lenders harmless from and against any and all present or future claims, liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting from any omission to pay or delay in paying any such taxes, fees or impositions.

 

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10.4       Holidays.  Whenever payment of the Loan to be made or taken hereunder shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day such payment shall be due on the next Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in computing interest and fees, except that the Loan shall be due on the Business Day preceding the Maturity Date if the Maturity Date is not a Business Day.  Whenever any payment or action to be made or taken hereunder (other than payment of the Loan) shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment or action shall be made or taken on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be included in computing interest or fees, if any, in connection with such payment or action.

 

10.5       Notices.  All notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications (as used in this Section 10.5, collectively referred to as “notices”) given to or made upon any party hereto under the provisions of this Agreement shall be by telephone or in writing (including facsimile communication) unless otherwise expressly permitted hereunder and shall be delivered or sent by facsimile or via nationally-recognized overnight courier, by hand or U.S. mail to the respective parties as follows or in accordance with any subsequent unrevoked written direction from any party to the others:

 

(i)          if to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries:

 

Green Brick Partners, Inc.
3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103
Dallas, TX 75205
Attn: James R. Brickman

(ii)         If to Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent:

 

Greenlight APE, LLC

c/o Greenlight Capital, Inc.

140 East 45th Street, 24th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

Fax: 212-973-9219

 

With a copy to:

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

One Bryant Park,

New York, NY 10036

Attn: David D’Urso

Fax: 212-872-1002

 

(iii)        If to any Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number on file with the Administrative Agent.

 

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All notices shall, except as otherwise expressly herein provided, be effective (a) in the case of facsimile, when received, (b) in the case of hand-delivered notice, when hand-delivered, (c) in the case of telephone, when telephoned, provided, however, that in order to be effective, telephonic notices must be confirmed in writing no later than the next Business Day by letter or facsimile, (d) if given by mail, four (4) days after such communication is deposited in the mail with first-class postage prepaid, return receipt requested and (e) if given by any other means (including by air courier), when delivered; provided, that notices to the Administrative Agent shall not be effective until received.  Any Lender giving any notice to any Borrower Affiliate Party shall simultaneously send a copy thereof to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the other Lenders of the receipt by it of any such notice.

 

10.6       Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be severable.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any jurisdiction.

 

10.7       Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract under the Laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflict of laws principles (other than Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Laws).

 

10.8       Prior Understanding.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties hereto and thereto relating to the transactions provided for herein and therein, including any prior confidentiality agreements and commitments.

 

10.9       Duration; Survival.  All representations and warranties of the Borrower Affiliate Parties contained herein or made in connection herewith shall survive the making of the Loan and shall not be waived by the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any investigation by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, the making of the Loan, or payment in full of the Loan.  All covenants and agreements of the Borrower Affiliate Parties contained in Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 herein shall continue in full force and effect from and after the date hereof until payment in full of the Loan.  All covenants and agreements of Borrower contained herein relating to the payment of additional compensation or expenses and indemnification, including those set forth in the Notes, Article 4 and Sections 9.6 and 10.3, shall survive payment in full of the Loan.

 

10.10     Successors and Assigns.  (a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Affiliate Parties and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower Affiliate Parties may not assign or transfer any of their rights and Obligations hereunder or any interest herein.  Each Lender may at any time make assignments (including pledges and grants of security interests) of all or any part of the respective Lender’s Ratable Share of the Loan to any Person reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.  In the case of an assignment, upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of any assignment and assumption agreement, the assignee shall have, to the extent of such assignment (unless otherwise provided therein), the same rights, benefits and obligations as it would have if it had been a signatory Lender hereunder and the Ratable Shares shall be adjusted accordingly.  In order to effect any assignment of all or any part of a Lender’s Ratable Share of the Loan, such Lender shall surrender any Note subject to such assignment, procure that the Administrative Agent provide notice to Borrower of such assignment and Borrower shall execute and deliver a new Note to the assignee in an amount equal to the amount of the respective Lender’s Ratable Share of the Loan, which such assignment must be provided to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance and recording in the Register (as defined below).

 

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(b)          The Administrative Agent (acting for this purpose solely on behalf of the Borrower) shall maintain at its address at which notices are to be given to it pursuant to Section 10.5 hereof a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Ratable Shares of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent, and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of the Loan Documents. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any of the Loan Parties, or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing provisions are intended to comply with the registration requirements in Treasury Regulations Section 5f.103-1(c), or any successor provisions thereof, so that the Loans (or Notes, as applicable) are considered to be issued in “registered form” pursuant to such regulations, and all parties hereto shall construe the provisions of the Fundamental Documents to ensure that the Loans (or Notes, as applicable) will be considered to have been so issued.

 

(c)          Each assignee shall deliver to Borrower and the Administrative Agent the form of certificate described in Section 10.16 relating to federal income tax withholding.  Each Lender may furnish any publicly available information concerning any Borrower Affiliate Party and any other information concerning any Borrower Affiliate Party in the possession of such Lender from time to time to assignees (including prospective assignees); provided, that such assignees agree to be bound by the provisions of Section 10.11.

 

(d)          Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in Section 10.1.1, 10.1.2 or 10.1.3. Subject to Section 10.10(e), the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits and subject to the requirements of Sections 4.8.1, 4.8.2 and 10.3 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.10(a) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 10.16 shall be delivered to the Lender who sells the participation); provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 4.8.3 and 9.6 as if it were an assignee under Section 10.10(a). Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 4.8.3 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.12 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.2 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

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(e)          A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 4.8.1, 4.8.2 or 10.3 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent.

 

10.11     Confidentiality.

 

10.11.1  General.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders each agree to keep confidential all information obtained from any Borrower Affiliate Party or its Subsidiaries which is nonpublic and confidential or proprietary in nature (including any information Borrower specifically designates as confidential), except as provided below, and to use such information only in connection with their respective capacities under this Agreement and for the purposes contemplated hereby.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be permitted to disclose such information (i) to outside legal counsel, accountants and other professional advisors who need to know such information in connection with the administration and enforcement of this Agreement, subject to agreement of such Persons to maintain the confidentiality thereof, (ii) to assignees and participants as contemplated by Section 10.10, and prospective assignees who accept confidentiality obligations in writing as well as any Persons to which any Lender pledges or grants a security interest in any portion of its rights under this Agreement, or its Notes or the other Loan Documents who accept confidentiality obligations in writing, (iii) as otherwise required by applicable Law or by any subpoena or similar legal process, or in connection with any investigation, regulatory inquiries or proceeding, (iv) if it becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement or becomes available from a source not known to be subject to confidentiality restrictions or (v) if Borrower shall have consented to such disclosure.

 

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10.11.2  Sharing Information with Affiliates of the Lenders.  The Borrower Affiliate Parties acknowledge that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and other services may be offered or provided to Borrower or one or more of their Affiliates (in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by any Lender or by one or more Subsidiaries or Affiliates of such Lender and, effective upon any such Person’s engagement for such service, each Borrower Affiliate Party hereby authorizes each Lender to share any information delivered to such Lender by the Borrower Affiliate Parties pursuant to this Agreement, or in connection with the decision of such Lender to enter into this Agreement, to any such Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Lender, it being understood that any such Subsidiary or Affiliate of any Lender receiving such information shall be bound by the provisions of Section 10.11.1 as if it were a Lender hereunder.

 

10.11.3  Nonliability of Lenders.  The relationship between Borrower on the one hand and the Lenders and the Administrative Agent on the other hand shall be solely that of borrower and lender.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Borrower Affiliate Party arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Borrower Affiliate Parties, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender undertakes any responsibility to any Borrower Affiliate Party to review or inform any Borrower Affiliate Party of any matter in connection with any phase of any Borrower Affiliate Party’s business or operations.  Borrower agrees, on behalf of itself and each other Borrower Affiliate Party, that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall, in its capacity as such, have liability to any Borrower Affiliate Party (whether sounding in tort, contract or otherwise) for losses suffered by any Borrower Affiliate Party in connection with, arising out of, or in any way related to the transactions contemplated and the relationship established by the Loan Documents, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection therewith, unless it is determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that such losses resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party from which recovery is sought.  NO LENDER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE BY OTHERS OF ANY INFORMATION OR OTHER MATERIALS OBTAINED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OTHER THAN RESULTING FROM SUCH LENDER’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, NOR SHALL ANY LENDER HAVE ANY LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO, AND BORROWER ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH OTHER Borrower Affiliate PARTY, HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES AND AGREES NOT TO SUE FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ARISING OUT OF ITS ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE CLOSING DATE).  Borrower acknowledges that it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party.  No joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Borrower Affiliate Parties and the Lenders.

 

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10.12    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by different parties hereto on any number of separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed and delivered, shall be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

10.13    Administrative Agent’s or Lender’s Consent.  Whenever the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s consent is required to be obtained under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents as a condition to any action, inaction, condition or event, the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be authorized to give or withhold such consent in its sole and absolute discretion and to condition its consent upon the giving of additional collateral, the payment of money or any other matter.

 

10.14    Exceptions.  The representations, warranties and covenants contained herein shall be independent of each other, and no exception to any representation, warranty or covenant shall be deemed to be an exception to any other representation, warranty or covenant contained herein unless expressly provided, nor shall any such exceptions be deemed to permit any action or omission that would be in contravention of applicable Law.

 

10.15    CONSENT TO FORUM; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH OF BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE NEW YORK SUPREME COURT SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK AND THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS UPON IT AND CONSENTS THAT ALL SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS BE MADE BY CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL DIRECTED TO SUCH PERSONS AT THE ADDRESSES PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 10.5 AND SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED UPON ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF.  EACH OF BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED AGAINST IT AS PROVIDED HEREIN AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY DEFENSE BASED ON LACK OF JURISDICTION OR VENUE.  EACH OF BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE COLLATERAL TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

 

65
 

 

10.16    Tax Withholding Clause.  Each Lender or assignee of a Lender (and, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent, each other Lender or assignee of a Lender) agrees that it will deliver to each of Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) duly completed appropriate valid Withholding Certificates (as defined under §1.1441-1(c)(16) of the Income Tax Regulations (“Regulations”)) certifying its status (i.e., U.S. or foreign person) and, if appropriate, making a claim of reduced, or exemption from, U.S. withholding tax on the basis of an income tax treaty or an exemption provided by the Internal Revenue Code. Such delivery may be made by electronic transmission as described in §1.1441-1(e)(4)(iv) of the Regulations if the Administrative Agent establishes an electronic delivery system. The term “Withholding Certificate” means a Form W-9; a Form W-8BEN; a Form W-8BEN-E; a Form W-8ECI; a Form W-8IMY and the related statements and certifications as required under §1.1441-1(e)(3) of the Regulations; a statement described in §1.871-14(c)(2)(v) of the Regulations; or any other certificates under the Code or Regulations that certify or establish the status of a payee or beneficial owner as a U.S. or foreign person. Each Lender, assignee or participant required to deliver to Borrower and the Administrative Agent a valid Withholding Certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence shall deliver such valid Withholding Certificate as follows: (A) each Lender which is a party hereto on the Closing Date shall deliver such valid Withholding Certificate at least five (5) Business Days prior to the first date on which any interest or fees are payable by Borrower hereunder for the account of such Lender; (B) each assignee or participant shall deliver such valid Withholding Certificate at least five (5) Business Days before the effective date of such assignment or participation (unless the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion shall permit such assignee to deliver such Withholding Certificate less than five (5) Business Days before such date in which case it shall be due on the date specified by the Administrative Agent). Each Lender of assignee which so delivers a valid Withholding Certificate further undertakes to deliver to each of Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) additional copies of such Withholding Certificate (or a successor form) on or before the date that such Withholding Certificate expires or becomes obsolete or after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent Withholding Certificate so delivered by it, and such amendments thereto or extensions or renewals thereof as may be reasonably requested by Borrower or the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the submission of a Withholding Certificate claiming a reduced rate of, or exemption from, United States withholding tax, Borrower or the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to withhold United States federal income taxes at the full 30% withholding rate with respect to any payments under the Loan Documents if in its reasonable judgment it is required to do so under the due diligence requirements imposed upon a withholding agent under §1.1441-7(b) of the Regulations. Further, the Administrative Agent shall be indemnified under §1.1461-1(e) of the Regulations against any claims and demands of any Lender or assignee or participant of a Lender for the amount of any tax it deducts and withholds in accordance with regulations under §1441 of the Internal Revenue Code. If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to each of Borrower and the Administrative Agent upon the request of either of such parties at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for Borrower or the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of the preceding sentence, “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement. EACH LENDER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND HOLD THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT HARMLESS FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF ANY AND ALL PRESENT OR FUTURE TAXES AND RELATED LIABILITIES INCLUDING PENALTIES, INTEREST, ADDITIONS TO TAX AND EXPENSES, AND ANY TAXES IMPOSED BY ANY JURISDICTION ON AMOUNTS PAYABLE TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT UNDER THIS SECTION 10.16 WHICH ARE IMPOSED DUE TO SUCH LENDER’S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS SECTION 10.16 AND WHICH ARE IMPOSED ON OR WITH RESPECT TO PRINCIPAL, INTEREST OR FEES PAYABLE TO SUCH LENDER HEREUNDER AND WHICH ARE NOT PAID BY BORROWER WHETHER OR NOT SUCH TAXES OR RELATED LIABILITIES WERE CORRECTLY OR LEGALLY ASSERTED.  THIS INDEMNIFICATION SHALL BE MADE WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT MAKES WRITTEN DEMAND THEREFOR. In the event that Borrower indemnifies the Administrative Agent for (x) any withholding taxes imposed under FATCA attributable to a Lender or (y) any taxes attributable to a Lender’s failure to comply with this Section 10.16, such Lender shall reimburse Borrower for the full amount of such indemnification within 30 days from the date Borrower makes written demand therefor.

 

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10.17    No Reliance on Administrative Agent’s Customer Identification Program.  Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such Lender, nor any of its Affiliates, or assignees, may rely on the Administrative Agent to carry out such Lender’s, Affiliate’s, or assignee’s customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under or pursuant to the Patriot Act or the regulations thereunder, including the regulations contained in 31 CFR 103.121 (as hereafter amended or replaced, the “CIP Regulations”), or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with any of the Borrower Affiliate Parties, their Affiliates or their agents, the Loan Documents or the transactions hereunder or contemplated hereby: (1) any identity verification procedures, (2) any recordkeeping, (3) comparisons with government lists, (4) customer notices or (5) other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or such other Anti-Terrorism Laws.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

67
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their officers thereunto duly authorized, have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

Green Brick PARTNERS, Inc.,
as Borrower
 
By:  /s/ James R. Brickman
Name: James R. Brickman
Title: Authorized Signatory

 

Loan Agreement Signature Page

 

 
 

 

GREENLIGHT APE, LLC
as Administrative Agent
 
By: Greenlight Capital, Inc., its Manager
   
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name:  Daniel Roitman/Harry Brander
  Title:  Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer

 

Loan Agreement Signature Page

 

 
 

 

  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL QUALIFIED, LP, as a Lender
     
  By: Greenlight Capital, Inc., its investment manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name:  Daniel Roitman/Harry Brander
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
     
  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL, LP, as a Lender
     
  By: Greenlight Capital, Inc., its investment manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brander
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
     
  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL OFFSHORE PARTNERS, as a Lender
     
  By: Greenlight Capital, Inc., its investment advisor
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brander
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer

 

Loan Agreement Signature Page

 

 
 

 

  GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE, LTD., as a Lender
     
  By: DME Advisors, LP, its investment advisor
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name:  Daniel Roitman/Harry Brander
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
     
  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL (GOLD), LP, as a Lender
     
  By: DME Capital Management, LP, its investment manager
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brander
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
     
  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL OFFSHORE MASTER (GOLD), LTD., as a Lender
     
  By: DME Capital Management, LP, its investment advisor
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brander
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer

 

Loan Agreement Signature Page

 

 
 

 

SCHEDULE 1.1(A)

 

COMMITMENTS OF LENDERS

 

   Lender  Commitment 
GCQP  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL QUALIFIED, LP  $33,005,000 
GCLP  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL, LP  $5,798,000 
GCO  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL OFFSHORE PARTNERS  $58,115,000 
GRL  GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE, LTD.  $21,561,000 
GGLP  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL (GOLD), LP  $15,749,000 
GGOM  GREENLIGHT CAPITAL OFFSHORE MASTER (GOLD), LTD.  $15,772,000 
   Total  $150,000,000 

 

 

 



 

Exhibit 10.8 

  

[Execution Version]

 

GUARANTY

 

dated as of October 27, 2014

 

among

 

GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC.

 

THE GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

 

and

 

GREENLIGHT APE, LLC,
as Administrative Agent

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
     
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
     
Section 1.01 Credit Agreement Definitions 1
Section 1.02 Additional Defined Terms 1
     
ARTICLE II
GUARANTY
     
Section 2.01 The Guaranty 2
Section 2.02 Guaranty Absolute 3
Section 2.03 Payments 5
Section 2.04 Discharge; Reinstatement in Certain Circumstances 6
Section 2.05 Waiver by the Guarantors 6
Section 2.06 Security for Guaranty 9
Section 2.07 Agreement to Pay; Subordination of Subrogation Claims 9
Section 2.08 Stay of Acceleration 9
Section 2.09 No Set-Off 9
     
ARTICLE III
INDEMNIFICATION, SUBROGATION AND CONTRIBUTION
     
Section 3.01 Indemnity and Subrogation 10
Section 3.02 Contribution and Subrogation 10
     
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
     
Section 4.01 Representations and Warranties; Certain Agreements 10
Section 4.02 Information 11
Section 4.03 Subordination by Guarantors 11
     
ARTICLE V
SET-OFF
     
Section 5.01 Right of Set-Off 11
     
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
     
Section 6.01 Notices 12
Section 6.02 Benefit of Agreement 12
Section 6.03 No Waivers; Non-Exclusive Remedies 12
Section 6.04 Enforcement 12
Section 6.05 Amendments and Waivers 13
Section 6.06 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction 13

 

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Table of Contents (Cont.)

 

    Page
     
Section 6.07 Limitation of Law; Severability 13
Section 6.08 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness 13
Section 6.09 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 13
Section 6.10 Additional Guarantors 14
Section 6.11 Termination; Release of Guarantors 14
Section 6.12 Conflict 14

 

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GUARANTY dated as of October 27, 2014 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, this “Agreement”) among GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC., the GUARANTORS from time to time party hereto and GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to herein.

 

GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC. (the “Borrower”) proposes to enter into that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified or supplemented from time to time and including any agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing or otherwise amending, amending and restating or otherwise modifying or restructuring all or any portion of the obligations of the Borrower under such agreement or any successor agreement, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto (each a “Lender” and, collectively, the “Lenders”) and GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, as Administrative Agent (together with its successor or successors in each such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and as Collateral Agent (together with its successor or successors in each such capacity, the “Collateral Agent” and together with the Administrative Agent, individually as an “Agent” and collectively as the “Agents”).

 

The Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent from time to time pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and each Indemnified Party and their respective successors and assigns are herein referred to individually as a “Secured Party” and collectively as the “Secured Parties”.

 

To induce the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and as a condition precedent to the obligations of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement, each of the subsidiaries of the Borrower listed on the signature pages hereof or which shall become a party hereto from time to time in accordance with Section 6.10 hereof (each a “Guarantor” and, collectively, the “Guarantors”) has agreed, jointly and severally, to provide a guaranty of all obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under and in respect of the Loan Documents. As used herein, “Other Loan Parties” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any and all of the Loan Parties other than such Guarantor.

 

Each of the Guarantors is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower, and the Guarantors will receive not insubstantial benefits from the Credit Agreement and the Loans and other financial accommodations to be made, issued or entered into thereunder and from the other financial accommodations to be made under the other Loan Documents. Accordingly, each Guarantor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01         Credit Agreement Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. Whenever any term used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein is used herein, such reference shall be deemed to have the same effect as if such term had been independently set forth herein in full on the date hereof. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.2 of the Credit Agreement shall also apply to this Agreement.

 

Section 1.02         Additional Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following additional terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Claiming Guarantor” has the meaning specified in Section 3.02.

 

Contributing Guarantor” has the meaning specified in Section 3.02.

 

 
 

 

Discharge of Finance Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04.

 

Fraudulent Transfer Laws” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

 

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

 

Guaranty Joinder” has the meaning specified in Section 6.10.

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

 

ARTICLE II
GUARANTY

 

Section 2.01        The Guaranty. Each Guarantor unconditionally guarantees, jointly and severally with the other Guarantors, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, the due and punctual payment of:

 

(i)          all principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any Loan incurred by any Other Loan Party under, or any Note issued by any Other Loan Party pursuant to, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, any interest which accrues after the commencement of any (A) voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law with respect to any Loan Party, (B) other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation or similar case or proceeding with respect to any Loan Party or any material portion of its respective assets, (C) liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of any Loan Party whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy or (D) assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of any Loan Party (each an “Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding”), whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding);

 

(ii)         all fees, expenses, indemnification obligations and other amounts of whatever nature now or hereafter payable by any Other Loan Party pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, any amounts which accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding with respect to such Other Loan Party, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding);

 

(iii)        all expenses of any Agent as to which one or more of them have a right to reimbursement by any Loan Party under Section 2.07 of this Agreement, Section 4.9, Section 9.6 and Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement or under any other similar provision of any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, any and all sums advanced by the Collateral Agent to preserve the Collateral or preserve its security interests in the Collateral to the extent permitted under any Loan Document or applicable Law;

 

(iv)        all amounts paid by any Indemnified Party as to which such Indemnified Party has the right to reimbursement by any Loan Party under Section 4.9 of the Credit Agreement or under any other similar provision of any other Loan Document; and

 

(v)         all other amounts now or hereafter payable by any Other Loan Party and all other obligations or liabilities now existing or hereafter arising or incurred on the part of any Other Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document (including, without limitation, any amounts which accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding with respect to such Other Loan Party, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding).

 

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in each case together with all renewals, modifications, consolidations or extensions thereof and whether now or hereafter due, owing or incurred in any manner, whether actual or contingent, whether incurred solely or jointly with any other Person and whether as principal or surety (and including all liabilities in connection with any notes, bills or other instruments accepted by any Secured Party in connection therewith), together in each case with all renewals, modifications, consolidations or extensions thereof (all such obligations referred to in clauses (i) to (v) above being herein collectively referred to as the “Guaranteed Obligations”).

 

The books and records of the Administrative Agent showing the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding, and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and conclusive, absent manifest error, for the purpose of establishing the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to a maximum aggregate amount equal to the greatest amount that would not render such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any provisions of applicable state law (collectively, the “Fraudulent Transfer Laws”), in each case after giving effect to all other liabilities of such Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under the Fraudulent Transfer Laws and after giving effect as assets of such Guarantor to the value (as determined under the applicable provisions of the Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights to subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar rights of such Guarantor pursuant to (A) applicable Law or (B) any agreement providing for an equitable allocation among such Guarantor and any Other Loan Party and its Affiliates of obligations arising under guaranties by such parties (including the agreements in Article III of this Agreement). If any Guarantor’s liability hereunder is limited pursuant to this paragraph to an amount that is less than the total amount of the Guaranteed Obligations, then it is understood and agreed that the portion of the Guaranteed Obligations for which such Guarantor is liable hereunder shall be the last portion of the Guaranteed Obligations to be repaid by such Guarantor.

 

Section 2.02         Guaranty Absolute. Each Guarantor guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations will be paid and performed strictly in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, regardless of any Law now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto. The obligations of the Guarantors under this Agreement are independent of the Guaranteed Obligations, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against each Guarantor to enforce this Agreement, irrespective of whether any action is brought against the Borrower or any Other Loan Party or whether the Borrower or any Other Loan Party is joined in any such action or actions. This Agreement is an absolute and unconditional guaranty of payment when due, and not of collection, by each Guarantor, jointly and severally with each other Guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations in each and every particular. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are several from those of the Other Loan Parties and are primary obligations concerning which each Guarantor is the principal obligor. The Secured Parties shall not be required to mitigate damages or take any action to reduce, collect or enforce the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including the existence of any claim, set-off or other right which any Guarantor may have at any time against any Other Loan Party, any Agent or other Secured Party or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated transactions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor’s liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by any Other Loan Party to any Secured Party under the Loan Documents but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving the Borrower or such Other Loan Party.

 

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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, until the Discharge of Finance Obligations, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be released, discharged or otherwise affected or impaired by:

 

(i)          any extension, renewal, settlement, compromise, acceleration, waiver or release in respect of any obligation of any Other Loan Party under the Credit Agreement, the Notes, or any other Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument evidencing or securing any Guaranteed Obligation, by operation of law or otherwise;

 

(ii)         any change in the manner, place, time or terms of payment of any Guaranteed Obligation or any other amendment, supplement or modification to the Credit Agreement, the Notes, any other Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument evidencing or securing any Guaranteed Obligation;

 

(iii)        any release, non-perfection or invalidity of any direct or indirect security for any Guaranteed Obligation, any sale, exchange, surrender, realization upon, offset against or other action in respect of any direct or indirect security for any Guaranteed Obligation or any release of any Other Loan Party or any other guarantor or guarantors of any Guaranteed Obligation;

 

(iv)        any change in the existence, structure or ownership of any Other Loan Party or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment, composition, liquidation or other similar proceeding affecting any Other Loan Party or its assets or any resulting disallowance, release or discharge of all or any portion of any Guaranteed Obligation;

 

(v)         the existence of any claim, set-off or other right which any Guarantor may have at any time against any Other Loan Party, any Agent, any other Secured Party or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated transaction; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim;

 

(vi)        any invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any Other Loan Party for any reason of the Credit Agreement, any Note, any other Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument evidencing or securing any Guaranteed Obligation or any provision of applicable Law purporting to prohibit the payment by any Other Loan Party of any Guaranteed Obligation;

 

(vii)       any failure by any Agent or any other Secured Party: (A) to file or enforce a claim against any Other Loan Party or its estate (in a bankruptcy or other proceeding); (B) to give notice of the existence, creation or incurrence by any Other Loan Party of any new or additional indebtedness or obligation under or with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; (C) to commence any action against any Other Loan Party; (D) to disclose to any Guarantor any facts which such Agent or such other Secured Party may now or hereafter know with regard to any Other Loan Party; or (E) to proceed with due diligence in the collection, protection or realization upon any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(viii)      any direction as to application of payment by any Other Loan Party or any other Person;

 

-4-
 

 

(ix)         any subordination by any Secured Party of the payment of any Guaranteed Obligation to the payment of any other liability (whether matured or unmatured) of any Other Loan Party to its creditors;

 

(x)          any act or failure to act by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party under this Agreement or otherwise which may deprive any Guarantor of any right to subrogation, contribution or reimbursement against any Other Loan Party or any right to recover full indemnity for any payments made by such Guarantor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations; or

 

(xi)         any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by the Borrower, any Other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party or any other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this clause, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder.

 

Each Guarantor has irrevocably and unconditionally delivered this Agreement to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and the failure by any Other Loan Party or any other Person to sign this Agreement or a guaranty similar to this Agreement or otherwise shall not discharge the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder. The irrevocable and unconditional liability of each Guarantor hereunder applies whether it is jointly and severally liable for the entire amount of the Guaranteed Obligations, or only for a pro-rata portion, and without regard to any rights (or the impairment thereof) of subrogation, contribution or reimbursement that such Guarantor may now or hereafter have against any Other Loan Party or any other Person. This Agreement is and shall remain fully enforceable against each Guarantor irrespective of any defenses that any Other Loan Party may have or assert in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, including, without limitation, failure of consideration, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction and usury, except that a Guarantor may assert the defense of final payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

Section 2.03         Payments.

 

(a)          Payments to be Made Upon Default. If any Loan Party fails to pay or perform any Guaranteed Obligation when due in accordance with its terms (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) or if any Event of Default specified in Sections 8.1.12 and 8.1.13 of the Credit Agreement occurs with respect to any Loan Party, the Guarantors shall, forthwith on demand of the Administrative Agent, pay the aggregate amount of all Guaranteed Obligations to the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)          General Provisions as to Payments. Each payment hereunder shall be made without set-off, counterclaim or other deduction, in federal or other funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent at the address(es) referred to in Section 6.01. Without limiting the foregoing, each Guarantor shall make all payments hereunder free and clear of and without deduction for any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, withholdings, compulsory loans, restrictions or conditions of any nature now or hereafter imposed or levied by any jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein unless the Guarantor is compelled by law to make such deduction or withholding. Subject to the Credit Agreement, if any such obligation is imposed upon any Guarantor with respect to any amount payable by it hereunder, such Guarantor will pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Secured Parties, on the date on which such amount is due and payable hereunder, such additional amount in U.S. dollars as shall be necessary to enable the applicable Secured Party or Parties to receive the same net amount which it or they would have received on such due date had the applicable Guaranteed Obligation been paid by the Borrower under the Credit Agreement. The obligations of the Guarantors under this paragraph shall survive the payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and termination of this Agreement. The obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any acts of any legislative body or governmental authority affecting the Borrower, any Guarantor or any Other Loan Party, including but not limited to, any restrictions on the conversion of currency or repatriation or control of funds or any total or partial expropriation of the Borrower’s property or the property of any Guarantor or any Other Loan Party, or by economic, political, regulatory or other events in the countries where the Borrower, any Guarantor or any Other Loan Party is located.

 

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(c)          Application of Payments; Priority of Distributions. All payments received by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be applied as provided in Section 8.2.4 of the Credit Agreement.

 

Section 2.04         Discharge; Reinstatement in Certain Circumstances. Each Guarantor’s obligations hereunder shall remain in full force and effect until the latest to occur of (i) payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest (including interest accruing on or after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not a claim for such interest is, or would be, allowed in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) and premium, if any, on all Indebtedness (other than contingent obligations) outstanding under the Loan Documents and termination of all commitments to lend or otherwise extend credit under the Loan Documents, and (ii) payment in full in cash of all other Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent obligations) that are due and payable or otherwise accrued and owing at or prior to the time such principal and interest are paid (including legal fees and other expenses, costs or charges accruing on or after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not a claim for such fees, expenses, costs or charges is, or would be, allowed in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding but excluding unasserted contingent indemnification obligations) (the occurrence of all of the foregoing being referred to herein as “Discharge of Finance Obligations”). No payment or payments made by any Other Loan Party or any other Person or received or collected by any Secured Party from any Other Loan Party or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of any Guarantor hereunder, it being understood that each Guarantor shall, notwithstanding any such payment or payments, remain liable for the Guaranteed Obligations until the Discharge of Finance Obligations. If at any time any payment by any Other Loan Party or any other Person of any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of any Other Loan Party or other Person or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervener or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, such Other Loan Party or other Person or any substantial part of its respective property or otherwise, each Guarantor’s obligations hereunder with respect to such payment shall be reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at such time. Each Guarantor party hereto agrees that payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or other acts which toll any statute of limitations applicable to the Guaranteed Obligations shall also toll the statute of limitations applicable to each such Guarantor’s liability hereunder.

 

Section 2.05         Waiver by the Guarantors. Each Guarantor hereby waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Other Loan Parties of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and also waives promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance of its guarantee, any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this Agreement and any requirement that any Agent or any other Secured Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien or any property subject thereto. Each Guarantor further waives any right to require that resort be had by any Agent or any other Secured Party to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations or to any balance of any deposit, account or credit on the books of any Agent or any other Secured Party in favor of any Loan Party or any other Person. Each Guarantor hereby consents and agrees to each of the following to the fullest extent permitted by law, and agrees that such Guarantor’s obligations under this Agreement shall not be released, diminished, impaired, reduced or adversely affected by any of the following, and waives any rights (including rights to notice) which such Guarantor might otherwise have as a result of or in connection with any of the following, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by law:

 

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(i)          any renewal, extension, modification, increase, decrease, alteration or rearrangement of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any instrument executed in connection therewith, or any contract or understanding with any Other Loan Party, any Agent, the other Secured Parties, or any of them, or any other Person, pertaining to the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(ii)         any adjustment, indulgence, forbearance or compromise that might be granted or given by any Agent or any other Secured Party to any Other Loan Party or any other Person liable on the Guaranteed Obligations; or the failure of any Agent or any other Secured Party to assert any claim or demand or to exercise any right or remedy against any Other Loan Party under the provisions of any Loan Document or otherwise; or any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, any Loan Document or any other agreement, including with respect to any Other Loan Party under this Agreement;

 

(iii)        the insolvency, bankruptcy, arrangement, adjustment, composition, liquidation, disability, dissolution or lack of power of any Other Loan Party or any other Person at any time liable for the payment of all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or any dissolution of any Other Loan Party, or any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate structure or existence of any Other Loan Party, or any sale, lease or transfer of any or all of the assets of any Other Loan Party, or any change in the shareholders, partners, or members of any Other Loan Party; or any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(iv)        the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any document or agreement executed in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason whatsoever, including the fact that the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, exceed the amount permitted by law, the act of creating the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof is ultra vires, the officers or representatives executing the documents or otherwise creating the Guaranteed Obligations acted in excess of their authority, the Guaranteed Obligations violate applicable usury laws, any Other Loan Party has valid defenses, claims or offsets (whether at law, in equity or by agreement) which render the Guaranteed Obligations wholly or partially uncollectible from such Other Loan Party, the creation, performance or repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations (or the execution, delivery and performance of any document or instrument representing part of the Guaranteed Obligations or executed in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations or given to secure the repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations) is illegal, uncollectible, legally impossible or unenforceable, or the documents or instruments pertaining to the Guaranteed Obligations have been forged or otherwise are irregular or not genuine or authentic;

 

(v)         any full or partial release of the liability of any Other Loan Party or of any other Person now or hereafter liable, whether directly or indirectly, jointly, severally, or jointly and severally, to pay, perform, guarantee or assure the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, it being recognized, acknowledged and agreed by each Guarantor that such Guarantor may be required to pay the Guaranteed Obligations in full without assistance or support of any other Person, and such Guarantor has not been induced to enter into this Agreement on the basis of a contemplation, belief, understanding or agreement that any party other than the Borrower will be liable to perform the Guaranteed Obligations, or that the Secured Parties will look to any other party to perform the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(vi)        the taking or accepting of any other security, collateral or guarantee, or other assurance of payment, for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

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(vii)       any release, surrender, exchange, subordination, deterioration, waste, loss or impairment (including negligent, willful, unreasonable or unjustifiable impairment) of any letter of credit, collateral, property or security, at any time existing in connection with, or assuring or securing payment of, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(viii)      any right that any Guarantor may now or hereafter have under Section 3-606 of the UCC or otherwise to unimpaired collateral;

 

(ix)         the failure of any Agent, any other Secured Party or any other Person to exercise diligence or reasonable care in the preservation, protection, enforcement, sale or other handling or treatment of all or any part of such collateral, property or security;

 

(x)          the fact that any collateral, security, security interest or lien contemplated or intended to be given, created or granted as security for the repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations shall not be properly perfected or created, or shall prove to be unenforceable or subordinate to any other security interest or lien, it being recognized and agreed by each Guarantor that such Guarantor is not entering into this Agreement in reliance on, or in contemplation of the benefits of, the validity, enforceability, collectibility or value of any of the Collateral;

 

(xi)         any payment by any Other Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any other Secured Party being held to constitute a preference under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar federal, foreign or state law, or for any reason any Agent or any other Secured Party being required to refund such payment or pay such amount to any Other Loan Party or someone else;

 

(xii)        any other action taken or omitted to be taken with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, or the security and collateral therefor, whether or not such action or omission prejudices any Guarantor or increases the likelihood that any Guarantor will be required to pay the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof, it being the unambiguous and unequivocal intention of each Guarantor that such Guarantor shall be obligated to pay the Guaranteed Obligations when due, notwithstanding any occurrence, circumstance, event, action or omission whatsoever, whether or not contemplated, and whether or not otherwise or particularly described herein, except for the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations in cash;

 

(xiii)       the fact that all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations cease to exist by operation of law, including by way of a discharge, limitation or tolling thereof under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law;

 

(xiv)      the existence of any claim, set-off or other right which any Guarantor may have at any time against any Other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, any other Secured Party or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated transactions; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim; or

 

(xv)       any other circumstance that might in any manner or to any extent otherwise constitute a defense available to, vary the risk of, or operate as a discharge of, such Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

 

All waivers herein contained shall be without prejudice to the right of the Administrative Agent at its option to proceed against any Loan Party or any other Person, whether by separate action or by joinder.

 

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Section 2.06         Security for Guaranty. Each Guarantor party hereto authorizes the Collateral Agent in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Security Documents, (i) to take and hold security for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations and its obligations under this Agreement and to exchange, enforce, waive and release any such security, (ii) to apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof in accordance with the Security Documents and (iii) to release or substitute any one or more endorsees, other Guarantors or Other Loan Parties. The Collateral Agent may, at its election, in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Security Documents, foreclose on any security held by it by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against any Loan Party, or any security, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder.

 

Section 2.07         Agreement to Pay; Subordination of Subrogation Claims. In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any other Secured Party has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of any Other Loan Party to pay any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent or such other Secured Party as designated thereby in cash the amount of such unpaid Guaranteed Obligations. Upon payment by any Guarantor of any sums to the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party as provided above, all rights of such Guarantor against any Other Loan Party arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall (including, without limitation, in the case of any Guarantor, any rights of such Guarantor arising under Article III of this Agreement) in all respects be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations and Discharge of Finance Obligations. No failure on the part of any Other Loan Party or any other Person to make any payments in respect of any subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar right (or any other payments required under applicable Requirements of Law or otherwise) shall in any respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor with respect to its obligations hereunder. If any amount shall erroneously be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar right, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall forthwith be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly endorsed by such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, if required) to be credited against the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents.

 

Section 2.08         Stay of Acceleration. If acceleration of the time for payment of any amount payable by any Other Loan Party under or with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Other Loan Party, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Notes or any other agreement or instrument evidencing or securing the Guaranteed Obligations shall nonetheless be payable by the Guarantors hereunder, jointly and severally, forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent in the manner provided in Section 2.01.

 

Section 2.09         No Set-Off. Except as set forth in Section 5.01, no act or omission of any kind or at any time on the part of any Secured Party in respect of any matter whatsoever shall in any way affect or impair the rights of the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party to enforce any right, power or benefit under this Agreement, and no set-off, claim, reduction or diminution of any Guaranteed Obligation or any defense of any kind or nature which any Guarantor has or may have against any Other Loan Party or any Secured Party shall be available against the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party in any suit or action brought by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party to enforce any right, power or benefit provided for by this Agreement; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the assertion by any Guarantor of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver by any Guarantor of any rights or claims which it may have against any Secured Party hereunder or otherwise, but any recovery upon such rights and claims shall be had from such Secured Party separately, it being the intent of this Agreement that each Guarantor shall be unconditionally, absolutely and jointly and severally obligated to perform fully all its obligations, covenants and agreements hereunder for the benefit of each Secured Party.

 

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ARTICLE III
INDEMNIFICATION, SUBROGATION AND CONTRIBUTION

 

Section 3.01         Indemnity and Subrogation. In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as the Guarantors may have under applicable Law (but subject to Section 2.07 above), the Borrower agrees that (i) if a payment shall be made by any Guarantor under this Agreement, the Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment, and such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment and (ii) if any assets of any Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to any Security Document to satisfy a claim of any Secured Party, the Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor in an amount equal to the greater of the book value or the fair market value of the assets so sold.

 

Section 3.02         Contribution and Subrogation. Each Guarantor (a “Contributing Guarantor”) agrees (subject to Section 2.07 above) that, if a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor under this Agreement or assets of any other Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to any Security Document to satisfy a claim of any Secured Party and such other Guarantor (the “Claiming Guarantor”) shall not have been fully indemnified by the Borrower as provided in Section 3.01, the Contributing Guarantor shall indemnify the Claiming Guarantor in an amount equal to the amount of such payment or the greater of the book value or the fair market value of such assets, as the case may be, in each case multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the net worth of the Contributing Guarantor on the date that the obligation(s) supporting such claim were incurred under this Agreement and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors on such date (or, in the case of any Guarantor becoming a party hereto pursuant to Section 6.10, the date of the Guaranty Joinder executed and delivered by such Guarantor). Any Contributing Guarantor making any payment to a Claiming Guarantor pursuant to this Section 3.02 shall be subrogated to the rights of such Claiming Guarantor under Section 3.01 to the extent of such payment, in each case subject to the provisions of Section 2.07.

 

ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01         Representations and Warranties; Certain Agreements. Each Guarantor hereby represents and warrants to, and covenants with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties as follows:

 

(a)          All representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents that relate to such Guarantor are true and correct in all material respects.

 

(b)          Such Guarantor agrees to comply with each of the covenants contained in the Loan Documents that impose or purport to impose, through agreements with the Borrower, restrictions or obligations on such Guarantor.

 

(c)          Such Guarantor acknowledges that any default in the due observance or performance by such Guarantor of any covenant, condition or agreement contained herein may constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.1 of the Credit Agreement, subject to the terms, conditions and grace periods set forth therein.

 

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(d)          Such Guarantor has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Such Guarantor has investigated fully the benefits and advantages which will be derived by it from execution of this Agreement, and the board of directors (or persons performing similar functions in case of a Guarantor which is not a corporation) of such Guarantor has decided that a direct or an indirect benefit will accrue to such Guarantor by reason of the execution of this Agreement.

 

(e)          (i) This Agreement is not given with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud any Person to which such Guarantor is or will become, on or after the date hereof, indebted; and (ii) such Guarantor, together with the other Loan Parties, is Solvent on the date hereof (or, in the case of any Guarantor becoming a party hereto pursuant to Section 6.10, the date of the Guaranty Joinder executed and delivered by such Guarantor) and will not cease to be Solvent as a result of the giving of this Agreement.

 

Section 4.02         Information. Each of the Guarantors assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the financial condition and assets of the Other Loan Parties and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any other Secured Party will have any duty to advise any of the Guarantors of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.

 

Section 4.03         Subordination by Guarantors. In addition to the terms of subordination provided for under Section 2.07, each Guarantor hereby subordinates in right of payment all indebtedness of the Other Loan Parties owing to it, whether originally contracted with such Guarantor or acquired by such Guarantor by assignment, transfer or otherwise, whether now owed or hereafter arising, whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses or otherwise, together with all renewals, extensions, increases or rearrangements thereof, to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether now owed or hereafter arising, whether for principal, interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), fees, expenses or otherwise, together with all renewals, extensions, increases or rearrangements thereof; provided that, unless an Event of Default is continuing and the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion has given notice to the Borrower to suspend such intercompany payments, payments in respect of such indebtedness shall be permitted.

 

ARTICLE V
SET-OFF

 

Section 5.01         Right of Set-Off. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Secured Party is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Secured Party to or for the credit or the account of a Guarantor against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Secured Party, irrespective of whether or not such Secured Party shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of such Guarantor may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Secured Party different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Secured Party and their respective Affiliates under this Section 5.01 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Secured Party or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Secured Party agrees to notify the respective Guarantor and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

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ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 6.01         Notices. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including by facsimile transmission) and mailed, faxed or delivered, to the address, facsimile number or (subject to subsection (b) below) electronic mail address specified for notices: (i) in the case of any Guarantor, as set forth on the signature pages hereto; (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as specified in or pursuant to Section 10.5 of the Credit Agreement; (iii) in the case of the Collateral Agent, as specified in or pursuant to Section 11.01 of the Pledge and Security Agreement; or (iv) in the case of any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a notice to the Administrative Agent and each other party hereto. All such notices and other communications shall, except as otherwise expressly herein provided, be effective (a) in the case of facsimile, when received, (b) in the case of hand-delivered notice, when hand-delivered, (c) in the case of telephone, when telephoned, provided, however, that in order to be effective, telephonic notices must be confirmed in writing no later than the next Business Day by letter or facsimile, (d) if given by mail, four (4) days after such communication is deposited in the mail with first-class postage prepaid, return receipt requested and (e) if given by any other means (including by air courier), when delivered; provided, that notices to the Administrative Agent shall not be effective until received.

 

Section 6.02         Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto; provided that none of the Guarantors may assign or transfer any of its interests and obligations without prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and any such purported assignment or transfer without such consent shall be void); provided further that the rights of each Lender to transfer, assign or grant participations in its rights and/or obligations hereunder shall be limited as set forth in Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement. Upon the assignment by any Secured Party of all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (including all or any portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it) or any other Loan Document to any other Person, such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such transferor or assignor herein or otherwise.

 

Section 6.03         No Waivers; Non-Exclusive Remedies. No failure or delay on the part of any Agent or any Secured Party to exercise, no course of dealing with respect to, and no delay in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or other document or agreement contemplated hereby or thereby shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies provided herein and in the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by Law.

 

Section 6.04         Enforcement. The Secured Parties agree that this Agreement may be enforced only by the action of the Administrative Agent (acting upon the instructions of the Required Lenders if required under the Loan Documents), and that no other Secured Party shall have any right individually to seek to enforce this Agreement, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties upon the terms of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.05         Amendments and Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by each Guarantor directly affected by such amendment or waiver (it being understood that the addition or release of any Guarantor hereunder shall not constitute an amendment or waiver affecting any Guarantor other than the Guarantor so added or released) and at all times prior to the time at which all Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full (other than unasserted contingent indemnification obligations not due and payable), the Administrative Agent (with the consent of the Required Lenders or, to the extent required by Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement, such other portion of the Lenders as may be specified therein).

 

Section 6.06         Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement may be brought in the courts of the State of New York in New York County, or of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of the Guarantors hereby irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditional, the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. Each of the Guarantors irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in such court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

Section 6.07         Limitation of Law; Severability.

 

(a)          All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable provision of Law, and all of the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable mandatory provisions of Law which may be controlling and be limited to the extent necessary so that they will not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable Law.

 

(b)          If any provision hereof is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, then, to the fullest extent permitted by Law: (i) the other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect in such jurisdiction and shall be liberally construed in favor of the Agents and the other Secured Parties in order to carry out the intentions of the parties hereto as nearly as may be possible; and (ii) the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such provisions in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 6.08         Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and supersede any and all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Guarantor when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof signed by itself and such Guarantor. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement

 

Section 6.09         WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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Section 6.10         Additional Guarantors. It is understood and agreed that any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is required by the Credit Agreement to execute a joinder to this Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “Guaranty Joinder”) after the date hereof shall automatically become a Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor hereunder by executing a Guaranty Joinder and delivering the same to the Administrative Agent. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other Guarantor or other parts hereunder. The rights and obligations of each Guarantor or other party hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor as a party to this Agreement.

 

Section 6.11         Termination; Release of Guarantors.

 

(a)          Termination. Upon the full, final and irrevocable payment of all Guaranteed Obligations (other than unasserted contingent indemnification obligations not due and payable), this Agreement shall terminate and have no further force or effect.

 

(b)          Release of Guarantors. If all of the capital stock of one or more of the Guarantors is sold or otherwise disposed of or liquidated in compliance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement (or such sale, other disposition or liquidation has been approved in writing by the Required Lenders (or all or such other portion of the Lenders, if required by Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement), such Guarantor or Guarantors shall be released from this Agreement, and this Agreement shall, as to each such Guarantor or Guarantors, terminate and have no further force or effect (it being understood and agreed that the sale of one or more Persons that own, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock of any Guarantor shall be deemed to be a sale of such Guarantor for purposes of this Section 6.11(b)).

 

Section 6.12         Conflict. To the extent that there is a conflict or inconsistency between any provision hereof, on the one hand, and any provision of the Credit Agreement, on the other hand, the Credit Agreement shall control.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

  GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC.
   
  By: /s/James R. Brickman
    Name:  James R. Brickman
    Title:  Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 

 
 

 

  BioFuel Energy, LLC
   
  By: /s/James R. Brickman
    Name:  James R. Brickman
    Title:  Authorized Signatory
   
  Notice Address:
   
  3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103
  Dallas, TX 75205
   
  BFE Holdings, LLC
  BFE Operating Company, LLC
  Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC
  Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC
  Oregon Trail Energy, LLC
  Wagon Wheel Energy, LLC
  Gilman Trail Energy, LLC
   
  By: /s/James R. Brickman
    Name:  James R. Brickman
    Title:  Authorized Signatory
   
  Notice Address:
   
  3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103
  Dallas, TX 75205

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 

 
 

 

  JBGL Willow Crest LLC
  JBGL Hawthorne, LLC
  JBGL Inwood  LLC
  JBGL Chateau, LLC
  JBGL Castle Pines Management, LLC
  JBGL Lakeside, LLC
  JBGL Mustang LLC
  JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC
  jbgl Builder finance llc
  JBGL Atlanta Development 2014, LLC
  JBGL Atlanta Development, LLC
  JBGL Avignon, LLC
  JBGL BF Development, LLC
  JBGL Chamdun, LLC
  JBGL HH, LLC
  JBGL Highlands Land, LLC
  JBGL Highlands Lender, LLC
  JBGL Jamestown, LLC
  JBGL Ownership LLC
  JBGL Vista, LLC
  Johns Creek 206, LLC
  The Providence Group at Jamestown II, L.L.C.
  Centre Living Homes, LLC
  Centre Commercial Construction, LLC
   
  By: /s/James R. Brickman
    Name:  James R. Brickman
    Title:  Manager
   
  Notice Address:
  3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103
  Dallas, TX 75205
   
  JBGL Castle Pines, LP
  By:  JBGL CASTLE PINES MANAGEMENT, LLC
   
  By: /s/James R. Brickman
    Name:  James R. Brickman
    Title:  Manager
   
  Notice Address:
  3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103
  Dallas, TX 75205

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 

 
 

 

Agreed to and Accepted:
 
GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, as Administrative Agent
 
By: /s/Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Name: Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
  Title: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 

 
 

 

Exhibit A TO GUARANTY

 

FORM OF JOINDER to Guaranty

 

This Joinder No. ____ (this “Joinder”), dated as of [●], is made by [●], a [●] [●] (the “New Guarantor”) and GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, in its capacity as Administrative Agent under the Guaranty, dated as of October 27, 2014 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty”), by and among GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC., each of the guarantor parties listed on the signature pages thereto and those additional entities that thereafter become parties thereto and GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings provided in the Guaranty.

 

The Guarantors are required by Section 6.10 of the Guaranty to cause the New Guarantor to become a “Guarantor” thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the New Guarantor hereby agrees as follows with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties:

 

1.          The New Guarantor hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Joinder, such New Guarantor will be deemed to be a party to the Guaranty and a “Guarantor” for all purposes of the Guaranty and the other Loan Documents, and shall have all of the obligations of a Guarantor thereunder as if it had executed the Guaranty and the other Loan Documents. The New Guarantor hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Guaranty and the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this Section 1, the New Guarantor hereby guarantees, jointly and severally together with the other Guarantors, the prompt payment of the Guaranteed Obligations in accordance with Section 2.01 of the Guaranty.

 

2.          The New Guarantor acknowledges and confirms that it has received a copy of the Guaranty.

 

3.          The New Guarantor agrees that at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party, it will execute and deliver such further documents and do such further acts and things as the Administrative Agent or such Secured Party may reasonably request in order to effect the purposes of this Joinder.

 

4.          This Joinder: (a) may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute one contract; and (b) may, upon execution, be delivered by facsimile or electronic mail, which shall be deemed for all purposes to be an original signature.

 

5.          Sections 6.02, 6.06, 6.07 and 6.09 of the Guaranty are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Joinder to the Guaranty to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

  

  [NEW guarantor]
   
  By:  
     Name:
     Title:
   
  Notice Address:
   
  [●]
  Phone: [●]
  Attention: [●]

 

 
 

 

Agreed to and Accepted:  
   
GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, as Administrative Agent  
   
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

 



Exhibit 10.9

 

[Execution version]

 

 

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

dated as of October 27, 2014

 

among

 

green brick partners, inc.,

 

THE SUBSIDIARIES OF GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC. FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

 

and

 

GREENLIGHT APE, LLC,
as Collateral Agent

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS*

 

    Page
     
ARTICLE I  
DEFINITIONS 1
     
Section 1.01 Credit Agreement Definitions 1
Section 1.02 Terms Defined in the UCC 1
Section 1.03 General Definitions 2
Section 1.04 Terms Generally 7
     
ARTICLE II  
GRANT OF SECURITY 7
     
Section 2.01 Grant of Security 7
     
ARTICLE III  
SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS 10
     
Section 3.01 Security for Secured Obligations 10
Section 3.02 Continuing Liability under Collateral 10
Section 3.03 Security Interests Absolute 10
     
ARTICLE IV  
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS 12
     
Section 4.01 Generally 12
Section 4.02 Equipment and Inventory 14
Section 4.03 Receivables 14
Section 4.04 Investment Related Property 16
Section 4.05 [Reserved] 21
Section 4.06 Intellectual Property 21
Section 4.07 Commercial Tort Claims 24
Section 4.08 Bonding 24
     
ARTICLE V  
FURTHER ASSURANCES and ADDITIONAL GRANTORS 24
     
Section 5.01 Further Assurances 24
Section 5.02 Additional Grantors 25
     
ARTICLE VI  
AGENT APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT 26
     
Section 6.01 Power of Attorney 26

 

 

*The Table of Contents is not a part of the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

- ii -
 

 

Table of Contents (Cont.)

 

  Page
ARTICLE VII  
REMEDIES 27
     
Section 7.01 Generally 27
Section 7.02 Application of Proceeds 28
Section 7.03 Sales on Credit 28
Section 7.04 Investment Related Property 29
Section 7.05 Intellectual Property 29
Section 7.06 Direct Obligation 31
Section 7.07 Commercially Reasonable 31
     
ARTICLE VIII  
THE COLLATERAL AGENT 32
     
Section 8.01 The Collateral Agent 32
Section 8.02 Compensation and Expenses of the Collateral Agent; Indemnification 33
     
ARTICLE IX  
CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF SECURED OBLIGATIONS 34
     
Section 9.01 Continuing Security Interest; Transfer of Secured Obligations 34
     
ARTICLE X  
STANDARD OF CARE; Collateral AGENT MAY PERFORM 35
     
Section 10.01 Standard of Care; Collateral Agent May Perform 35
     
ARTICLE XI  
MISCELLANEOUS 35
     
Section 11.01 Notices 35
Section 11.02 Amendments 35
Section 11.03 Release 35
Section 11.04 Cumulative Rights 36
Section 11.05 Waivers 36
Section 11.06 Reinstatement 36
Section 11.07 Independent Obligations 36
Section 11.08 Successors and Assigns 36
Section 11.09 Independence of Covenants 36
Section 11.10 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements 37
Section 11.11 Marshalling 37
Section 11.12 Severability 37
Section 11.13 Governing Law; Jurisdiction Etc. 37
Section 11.14 Waiver of Jury Trial 38
Section 11.15 Subordination 38
Section 11.16 Counterparts 38

 

- iii -
 

 

Table of Contents (Cont.)

 

  Page
Section 11.17 Effectiveness 38
Section 11.18 Entire Agreement 38

 

Schedules:

Schedule I Location of Collateral
Schedule II Investment Related Property
Schedule III Intellectual Property
Schedule IV Commercial Tort Claims
Schedule V Filings to Perfect Security Interests
Schedule VI Bonding

 

Exhibits:

 

Exhibit A Form of Grant of Security Interest in United States Copyrights
Exhibit B Form of Grant of Security Interest in United States Patents and Trademarks
Exhibit C Form of Security Agreement Joinder

 

- iv -
 

  

This PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of October 27, 2014 (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, this “Agreement”), among green brick partners, inc. (the “Borrower”), the GUARANTORS from time to time parties hereto (together with the Borrower, each a “Grantor” and collectively, the “Grantors”), and GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, as Collateral Agent (as defined below) for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to herein.

 

The Borrower proposes to enter into that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified or supplemented from time to time and including any agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing or otherwise amending, amending and restating or otherwise modifying or restructuring all or any portion of the obligations of the Borrower under such agreement or any successor agreement, the “Credit Agreement”; capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement) among the Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto (each a “Lender” and, collectively, the “Lenders”), and Greenlight APE, LLC, as Administrative Agent (together with its successor or successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and as Collateral Agent (together with its successor or successors in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent” and together with the Administrative Agent, individually as an “Agent” and collectively as the “Agents”).

 

The Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent from time to time pursuant to the Credit Agreement and each Indemnified Party and their respective successors and assigns are herein referred to individually as a “Secured Party” and collectively as the “Secured Parties”.

 

To induce the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and as a condition precedent to the obligations of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement, each of the subsidiaries of the Borrower listed on the signature pages hereof or which shall become parties hereto from time to time in accordance with Section 5.02 hereof (each a “Guarantor” and, collectively, the “Guarantors”) has agreed, jointly and severally, to provide a guaranty of all obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under and in respect of the Loan Documents.

 

As a further condition precedent to the obligations of the Lenders under the Loan Documents, the Grantors have agreed or will agree to grant a continuing security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent in and to the Collateral to secure the Secured Obligations.

 

Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, each Grantor and the Collateral Agent agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01         Credit Agreement Definitions. Whenever any term used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement is used herein, such reference shall be deemed to have the same effect as if such term had been independently set forth herein in full on the date hereof. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.2 of the Credit Agreement shall also apply to this Agreement.

 

Section 1.02         Terms Defined in the UCC. Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement or as the context otherwise requires, the following terms, together with any uncapitalized terms used herein which are defined in the UCC (as defined below), have the respective meanings provided in the UCC: “Certificated Security”, “Chattel Paper”, “Document”, “Electronic Chattel Paper”, “Equipment”, “Fixtures”, “Goods”, “Instrument”, “Inventory”, “Investment Property”, “Money”, “Payment Intangible”, “Security”, “Securities Account”, “Security Entitlement”, “Tangible Chattel Paper” and “Uncertificated Security”.

 

 
 

  

Section 1.03         General Definitions. Terms defined in the introductory statements above have the respective meanings set forth therein. The following additional terms, as used herein, have the following respective meanings:

 

Account Debtor” means an “account debtor” (as defined in the UCC), and also means and includes Persons obligated to pay negotiable instruments and other Receivables.

 

Additional Grantors” means those additional Persons that may become parties to this Agreement as additional Grantors in accordance with Section 5.02.

 

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Cash Proceeds” means all proceeds of any Collateral consisting of cash, checks and other cash equivalents.

 

Collateral” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01 hereof.

 

Collateral Agent” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Collateral Support” means, in the event that any property (real or personal) secures any Collateral of a Grantor constituting a right to payment or performance, the security interest, mortgage or other lien in favor of such Grantor in such real or personal property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Collateral Support does not include any Excluded Assets.

 

Commercial Tort Claims” means all “commercial tort claims” (as defined in the UCC) for amounts greater than $500,000, including, without limitation, each of the claims described on Schedule IV hereto, as such schedule may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and also means and includes all claims, causes of action and similar rights and interests (however characterized) of a Loan Party for amounts greater than $500,000, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, and whether or not subject to any action, suit, investigation or legal, equitable, arbitration or administrative proceedings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Commercial Tort Claims shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

Copyrights” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Law in or relating to copyrights and all mask work, database and design rights, whether or not registered or published, all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Copyrights shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

Control Agreement” means, with respect to a Deposit Account, a Deposit Account Control Agreement and, with respect to a Securities Account, a Securities Account Control Agreement.

 

Copyright Security Agreement” means an agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, between a Grantor that is the owner of any registered Copyright and the Collateral Agent, setting forth each applied for or registered Copyright owned by such Grantor in proper form for recording with the United States Copyright Office in which said Copyright is registered and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, together with all supplements to the schedules thereto.

 

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Deposit Accounts” means all “deposit accounts” (as defined in the UCC) and also means and includes all demand, time, savings, passbook or similar accounts maintained by a Loan Party with a bank or other financial institution, whether or not evidenced by an Instrument, all cash and other funds held therein and all passbooks related thereto and all certificates and Instruments, if any, from time to time representing, evidencing or deposited into such deposit accounts. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Deposit Accounts shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

Deposit Account Control Agreement” means a Deposit Account control agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent to be executed by an institution maintaining a Deposit Account for a Grantor (other than Excluded Accounts), in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, as security for the Secured Obligations.

 

“Dispose” or “Disposition” means any sale, conveyance, assignment, lease, abandonment, discount or other transfer or disposition, whether voluntary or involuntary.

 

Excluded Accounts” means (i) Deposit Accounts used solely for funding payroll or segregating payroll taxes or segregating 401K contribution or contributions to an employee stock purchase plan and other health and benefit plans, (ii) Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts, amounts on deposit or value of the securities held in which the seven-day average balance does not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate at any one time, (iii) zero balance disbursement accounts, (iv) Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts maintained in connection with pledges of cash or cash equivalents described in clauses (iv), (viii), (ix) and (xvii) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and (v) Excluded Assets.

 

Excluded Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.

 

Excluded Equity Interests” means any Capital Stock if, and to the extent that, and for so long as (A) any of such Capital Stock constitutes less than 100% of all applicable Capital Stock issued by such Person and the Persons holding the remainder of the Capital Stock issued by such Person are not Borrower Party Affiliates, (B) the grant of a security interest therein would violate or require a consent under applicable Law or regulations or a contractual obligation binding on such Capital Stock which consent has not been obtained (other than to the extent that such consent requirement is rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions) of any relevant jurisdiction or other applicable law or principles of equity (the “Anti-Non-Assignment Clauses”) and (C) such Law or contractual obligation existed at the time of the acquisition thereof or, if such Capital Stock is held on the date hereof, the date hereof, and was not created or made binding on such Capital Stock in contemplation of or in connection with the acquisition of such Capital Stock or for purposes of evading the grant of the security interest hereunder (after giving effect to the Anti-Non-Assignment Clauses); provided, however, any such Capital Stock shall cease to be Excluded Equity Interests at such time as to any portion of such Capital Stock that does not constitute or result or no longer constitutes or results in any of the conditions or consequences specified above.

 

Excluded Perfection Actions” means the following actions: (i) taking actions (other than the filing of UCC financing statements) in respect of Letter-of-Credit Rights, (ii) taking actions necessary to establish Collateral Agent’s control of any Excluded Account, (iii) taking actions (other than the filing of UCC financing statements) in respect of motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title (iv) taking actions to obtain landlord or bailee waivers and similar agreements or consents of third parties holding Collateral (except as set forth in Section 4.04(e)), (v) taking action to possess Money and (vi) entering into non-U.S. law security or pledge agreements or making non-U.S. Intellectual Property filings.

 

- 3 -
 

  

General Intangibles” means all “general intangibles” (as defined in the UCC), including, without limitation, (i) all Payment Intangibles and other obligations and indebtedness owing to any Loan Party in respect of Collateral and (ii) all interests in limited liability companies and/or partnerships which interests do not constitute Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, General Intangibles shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

Intellectual Property” means all rights, title and interests in or relating to intellectual property arising under any Law and all IP Ancillary Rights relating thereto, including Copyrights, Patents, Software, Trademarks, Internet Domain Names, Trade Secrets and IP Licenses. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Intellectual Property shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

Internet Domain Name” means all right, title and interest (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Law in or relating to any internet domain name.

 

IP Ancillary Rights” means, with respect to any other Intellectual Property, as applicable, all foreign counterparts to, and all divisional, reversions, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissuances, reexaminations, renewals and extensions of, such Intellectual Property and all income, royalties, proceeds and liabilities at any time due or payable or asserted under or with respect to any of the foregoing or otherwise with respect to such Intellectual Property, including all rights to sue or recover at law or in equity for any past, present or future infringement, misappropriation, dilution, violation or other impairment thereof, and in each case, all rights to obtain any other IP Ancillary Right.

 

IP License” means all contractual obligations (and all related IP Ancillary Rights), whether written or oral, granting any right, title and interest in or relating to any Intellectual Property. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, IP Licenses shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

Investment Accounts” means, collectively, the Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts, in each case of the Grantors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Investment Accounts shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

Investment Related Property” means (i) all Investment Property (other than Excluded Assets) and (ii) all of the following (other than to the extent constituting Excluded Assets) (regardless of whether classified as “investment property” under the UCC): (A) Pledged Stock, (B) Pledged Debt, (C) the Investment Accounts and (D) certificates of deposit.

 

Letter-of-Credit Right” means all “letter-of-credit rights” (as defined in the UCC) and also means and includes all rights of a Loan Party to demand payment or performance under a letter of credit (as defined in Article V of the UCC). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Letter-of-Credit Rights shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

Patent Security Agreement” means an agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, between a Grantor that is the owner of any applied for or registered Patent and the Collateral Agent, setting forth each applied for or registered Patent owned by such Grantor in proper form for recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, together with all supplements to the schedules thereto.

 

Patents” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Law in or relating to letters patent and applications therefor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Patents shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

- 4 -
 

  

Payment Item” means each check, draft or other item of payment payable to a Loan Party, in an amount exceeding $150,000 individually, to the extent constituting Collateral or proceeds of any Collateral.

 

Pledged Debt” means all indebtedness for borrowed money owed to any Grantor, whether or not evidenced by any instrument or promissory note, including, without limitation, all indebtedness for borrowed money described on Schedule II hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof) under the heading “Pledged Debt,” all monetary obligations owing to any Grantor from any other Grantor, the instruments evidencing any of the foregoing and all interest, cash, instruments and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the foregoing; provided that Pledged Debt shall not include any Excluded Assets.

 

Pledged Stock” means all Capital Stock owned by any Grantor, including, without limitation, all Capital Stock listed on Schedule II hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof) under the heading “Pledged Stock,” and the certificates, if any, representing such Capital Stock and any other interest of such Grantor on the books and records of the issuer of such interests or on the books and records of any securities intermediary pertaining to such interests, and all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such shares and any other warrant, right or option to acquire any of the foregoing; provided that Pledged Stock shall not include any Excluded Assets.

 

Proceeds” means (i) all “proceeds” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, (ii) all payments or distributions made with respect to any Investment Related Property and (iii) whatever is receivable or received when Collateral or proceeds are sold, leased, licensed, exchanged, collected or otherwise Disposed of, whether such Disposition is voluntary or involuntary, including, without limitation, all proceeds of and unearned premiums with respect to insurance policies and all claims against any Person for loss, damage or destruction of the relevant Collateral. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Proceeds shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

Receivables” means all (i) Accounts, (ii) Chattel Paper (including Electronic Chattel Paper), (iii) Payment Intangibles, (iv) Instruments, (v) Letter-of-Credit Rights, (vi) Supporting Obligations, and (vii) to the extent not otherwise included in clauses (i) through (vi), all other rights to payment, whether or not earned by performance, for goods or other property sold, leased, licensed, assigned or otherwise disposed of, or services rendered or to be rendered, regardless of how classified under the UCC. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Receivables shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

Secured Obligations” means all monetary and other obligations with respect to the due and punctual payment of:

 

(i)          all principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any Loan incurred by any Loan Party under, or any Note issued by any Loan Party pursuant to, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, any interest which accrues after the commencement of any (A) voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law with respect to any Loan Party, (B) other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation or similar case or proceeding with respect to any Loan Party or any material portion of its respective assets, (C) liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of any Loan Party whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy or (D) assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of any Loan Party (each an “Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding”), whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding);

- 5 -
 

 

(ii)         all fees, expenses, indemnification obligations and other amounts of whatever nature now or hereafter payable by any Loan Party pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, any amounts which accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding with respect to such Loan Party, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding);

 

(iii)        all expenses of any Agent as to which one or more of them have a right to reimbursement by any Loan Party under Section 8.02 of this Agreement, Section 4.9, Section 9.6 and Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement or under any other similar provision of any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, any and all sums advanced by the Collateral Agent to preserve the Collateral or preserve its security interests in the Collateral to the extent permitted under any Loan Document or applicable Law;

 

(iv)        all amounts paid by any Indemnified Party as to which such Indemnified Party has the right to reimbursement by any Loan Party under Section 4.9 of the Credit Agreement or under any other similar provision of any other Loan Document; and

 

(v)         all other amounts now or hereafter payable by any Loan Party and all other obligations or liabilities now existing or hereafter arising or incurred on the part of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document (including, without limitation, any amounts which accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding with respect to such Loan Party, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding),

 

in each case together with all renewals, modifications, consolidations or extensions thereof and whether now or hereafter due, owing or incurred in any manner, whether actual or contingent, whether incurred solely or jointly with any other Person and whether as principal or surety (and including all liabilities in connection with any notes, bills or other instruments accepted by any Secured Party in connection therewith), together in each case with all renewals, modifications, consolidations or extensions thereof.

 

Securities Account Control Agreement” means an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, to be executed by a Grantor, the Collateral Agent and each securities intermediary maintaining a Securities Account or Security Entitlement of such Grantor, pursuant to which such securities intermediary agrees to comply with the Collateral Agent’s “entitlement orders” without further consent by such Grantor.

 

Software” means all “software” (as defined in the UCC), and also means and includes all software programs, whether now or hereafter owned, licensed or leased by a Grantor, designed for use on computer hardware, including, without limitation, all operating system software, utilities and application programs in whatever form and whether or not embedded in goods, all source code and object code in magnetic tape, disk or hard copy format or any other listings whatsoever, all firmware associated with any of the foregoing all documentation, flowcharts, logic diagrams, manuals, specifications, training materials, charts and pseudo codes associated with any of the foregoing, and all options, warranties, services contracts, program services, test rights, maintenance rights, support rights, renewal rights and indemnifications relating to any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Software shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

- 6 -
 

 

Supporting Obligations” means a Letter-of-Credit Right, Guarantee or other secondary obligation supporting or any Lien securing the payment or performance of one or more Receivables, General Intangibles, Documents or Investment Property, in each case other than Excluded Assets.

 

Trade Secrets” means all right, title and interest (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Law in or relating to trade secrets, in each case other than Excluded Assets.

 

Trademark Security Agreement” means an agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, between a Grantor that is the owner of any applied for or registered Trademark and the Collateral Agent, setting forth each applied for or registered Trademark owned by such Grantor in proper form for recording with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in which such Trademark is applied for or registered and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, together with all supplements to the schedules thereto.

 

Trademark” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Law in or relating to trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers and, in each case, all goodwill associated therewith, all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Trademarks shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided that if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, the perfection, the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interests in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.

 

Section 1.04         Terms Generally. The definitions in Sections 1.02 and 1.03 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, the word “day” means a calendar day.

 

ARTICLE II
GRANT OF SECURITY

 

Section 2.01         Grant of Security. (a) Subject to Section 2.01(b), to secure the due and punctual payment of all Secured Obligations of it and of all other Loan Parties, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing or due or to become due, in accordance with the terms thereof and to secure the performance of all of its obligations and the obligations of all other Loan Parties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, each Loan Party hereby grants to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in, and each Loan Party hereby pledges and collaterally assigns to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, all of such Loan Party’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired, created or arising, whether tangible or intangible, and regardless of where located (all of which are herein collectively called the “Collateral”):

 

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(i)          all Receivables;

 

(ii)         all Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts;

 

(iii)        all Documents and all Supporting Obligations of any kind given by any Person with respect thereto;

 

(iv)        all Equipment;

 

(v)         all Fixtures;

 

(vi)        all General Intangibles;

 

(vii)       all Goods;

 

(viii)      all Intellectual Property;

 

(ix)         all Inventory;

 

(x)          all Investment Related Property and all Supporting Obligations of any kind given by any Person with respect thereto;

 

(xi)         all Letter-of-Credit Rights;

 

(xii)        all Money;

 

(xiii)       all Commercial Tort Claims;

 

(xiv)      all books and records (including, without limitation, customer lists, credit files, computer programs, printouts and other computer materials and records) of each Loan Party pertaining to any of the Collateral; and

 

(xv)       to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds of, accessions to, substitutions or replacements for, and products of, any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to the forgoing.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of security in, and in no event shall the Collateral (or any component definition thereof) include, and no Grantor shall be deemed to have assigned, pledged or granted a security interest in, any of such Grantor’s right, title or interest:

 

(i)          in any Excluded Equity Interests;

 

(ii)         in any leaseholds of Real Property held by any Loan Party as lessee;

 

(iii)        in any fee owned Real Property that has an individual Fair Market Value in an amount less than $500,000;

 

(iv)        in those assets identified in writing by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent in which granting a security interest therein would result in adverse tax consequences to any Loan Party as reasonably determined by the Borrower; provided, however, that such security interest shall attach immediately at such time as and, to the extent severable, to any portion of such assets that do not constitute or result or no longer constitutes or results in any of the consequences specified above;

 

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(v)         in any assets (other than proceeds and receivables thereof), to the extent that, and for so long as, taking a security interest therein is prohibited by applicable Law or regulations or a contractual obligation binding on such assets that, in the case of any such contractual obligation, existed at the time of the acquisition thereof, or if such asset is held by a Grantor on the date hereof, existed on the date hereof, and was not created or made binding on such assets in contemplation of or in connection with the acquisition of such assets or the creation of the Lien hereunder (except in the case of assets acquired with Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.1(k) of the Credit Agreement that is secured by a Lien permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.2 of the Credit Agreement), and so long as such prohibition is not terminated or rendered unenforceable or otherwise deemed ineffective pursuant to the Anti-Non-Assignment Clauses; provided, however, that such security interest shall attach immediately at such time as and, to the extent severable, to any portion of such assets that do not constitute or result or no longer constitutes or results in any of the consequences specified above;

 

(vi)        in any asset that is subject to permitted secured financing arrangements containing restrictions permitted by Section 7.2.12(x) of the Credit Agreement, pursuant to which a Lien on such asset securing the Secured Obligations is not permitted or shall constitute or result in a breach or would give any other party to such arrangement the right to terminate such arrangement (other than to the extent that any such prohibition is rendered ineffective pursuant to the Anti-Non-Assignment Clauses); provided, however, that such security interest shall attach immediately at such time as and, to the extent severable, to any portion of such assets that do not constitute or result or no longer constitutes or results in any of the consequences specified above;

 

(vii)       in any asset with respect to which the Collateral Agent determines that the cost of obtaining the security interest hereunder, perfection thereof or compliance with the terms hereof, in each case with respect thereto exceeds the value of the security to be afforded thereby;

 

(viii)      in any “intent-to-use” trademark application for which a statement of use has not been filed (but only to until such statement is filed); and

 

(ix)         in any lease, license, contract or agreement to which any Grantor is a party if and for so long as the assignment, pledge or grant of such security interest (1) shall be prohibited by any valid and enforceable provision of any such lease, license, contract or agreement (that was not included in such lease, license, contract or agreement for the purpose of avoiding the grant of the security interest hereunder), (2) would give any other party to such lease, license, contract or agreement the right to terminate its obligations thereunder, (3) is permitted only with the consent of another party to such lease, license, contract or agreement if such consent has not been obtained (despite commercially reasonable efforts of the relevant Grantor to obtain such consent), (4) shall constitute or result in the abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability of any right, title or interest of any Grantor therein, (5) shall constitute or result in a breach or termination (or result in any party thereto having the right to terminate) pursuant to the terms of, or a default under, any such lease, license, contract or agreement or (6) shall constitute or result in a violation under any law, regulation, permit, order or decree of any Official Body, unless and until all required material consents shall have been obtained in each case as to clauses (1) through (6), other than to the extent that any such term is rendered ineffective pursuant to the Anti-Non-Assignment Clauses or any other applicable law; provided, however, that such security interest shall attach immediately at such time as and, to the extent severable, to any portion of such lease, license, contract or agreement that does not constitute or result or no longer constitutes or results in any of the conditions or consequences specified in the immediately preceding clauses (1) through (6) above.

 

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The items described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (ix), inclusive, being referred to as “Excluded Assets.”

 

ARTICLE III
SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS

 

Section 3.01         Security for Secured Obligations. This Agreement and the grant of the security interest and Lien herein secures, in the case of each Grantor, and the Collateral is collateral security for, the prompt and complete payment or performance in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code (and any successor provision thereof)), of all Secured Obligations of and with respect to such Grantor and every other Grantor.

 

Section 3.02         Continuing Liability under Collateral. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) each Grantor shall remain liable to observe and perform all the terms and conditions to be observed and performed by it under any contract, agreement, warranty or other obligation with respect to the Collateral, and nothing contained herein is intended or shall be a delegation of duties to the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party and (ii) each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the agreements included in the Collateral, including, without limitation, any agreements relating to Pledged Stock and Pledged Debt, to perform all of the obligations undertaken by it thereunder and neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any of such agreements by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or any other document related thereto, nor shall the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party have any obligation to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by it or the sufficiency of the performance of any party’s obligations with respect to any Collateral or have any obligation to take any action to collect or enforce any rights under any agreement included in the Collateral, including, without limitation, any agreements relating to Pledged Stock and Pledged Debt and (iii) the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any of its rights hereunder shall not release any Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral.

 

Section 3.03         Security Interests Absolute. All rights of the Collateral Agent, all security interests hereunder and all obligations of each Grantor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and independent and separate from any other security for or guaranty of the Secured Obligations, whether executed by such Grantor, any other Grantor or any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall not be released, discharged or otherwise affected or impaired by:

 

(i)          any extension, renewal, settlement, compromise, acceleration, waiver or release in respect of any obligation of any other Grantor under any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument evidencing or securing any Secured Obligation, by operation of law or otherwise;

 

(ii)         any change in the manner, place, time or terms of payment of any Secured Obligation or any other amendment, supplement or modification to any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument evidencing or securing any Secured Obligation;

 

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(iii)        any release, non-perfection or invalidity of any direct or indirect security for any Secured Obligation, any sale, exchange, surrender, realization upon, offset against or other action in respect of any direct or indirect security for any Secured Obligation or any release of any other obligor or Grantors in respect of any Secured Obligation;

 

(iv)        any change in the existence, structure or ownership of any Grantor, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment, composition, liquidation or other similar proceeding affecting any Grantor or its assets or any resulting disallowance, release or discharge of all or any portion of any Secured Obligation;

 

(v)         the existence of any claim, set-off or other right which any Grantor may have at any time against any other Grantor, the Collateral Agent, any other Secured Party or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated transaction; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim;

 

(vi)        any invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any other Grantor for any reason of any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument evidencing or securing any Secured Obligation or any provision of applicable Requirement of Law or regulation purporting to prohibit the payment by any other Grantor of any Secured Obligation;

 

(vii)       any failure by any Secured Party: (A) to file or enforce a claim against any Grantor or its estate (in a bankruptcy or other proceeding); (B) to give notice of the existence, creation or incurrence by any Grantor of any new or additional indebtedness or obligation under or with respect to the Secured Obligations; (C) to commence any action against any Grantor; (D) to disclose to any Grantor any facts which such Secured Party may now or hereafter know with regard to any Grantor; or (E) to proceed with due diligence in the collection, protection or realization upon any collateral securing the Secured Obligations;

 

(viii)      any direction as to application of payment by any other Grantor or any other Person;

 

(ix)         any subordination by any Secured Party of the payment of any Secured Obligation to the payment of any other liability (whether matured or unmatured) of any Grantor to its creditors;

 

(x)          any act or failure to act by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party under this Agreement or otherwise which may deprive any Grantor of any right to subrogation, contribution or reimbursement against any other Grantor or any right to recover full indemnity for any payments made by such Grantor in respect of the Secured Obligations; or

 

(xi)         any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by any Grantor or any Secured Party or any other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this Section 3.03, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of any Grantor’s obligations hereunder, except that a Grantor may assert the defense of final payment in full of the Secured Obligations.

 

Each Grantor has irrevocably and unconditionally delivered this Agreement to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and the failure by any other Person to sign this Agreement or a pledge or other security agreement similar to this Agreement or otherwise shall not discharge the obligations of any Grantor hereunder.

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To the fullest extent permitted by law, this Agreement shall remain fully enforceable against each Grantor irrespective of any defenses that any other Grantor may have or assert in respect of the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation, failure of consideration, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction and usury, except that a Grantor may assert the defense of final payment of the Secured Obligations.

 

ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01         Generally.

 

(a)          Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(i)          The Grantors have good and marketable title to, or valid license or leasehold interest in, all of the Collateral in which the Grantors have granted a security interest hereunder.

 

(ii)         The Grantors own each item of the Collateral free and clear of any and all Liens, other than Permitted Liens. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.2.2 to the Credit Agreement, no financing statement, mortgage, security agreement or other similar or equivalent document or instrument or public notice with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except filings evidencing Permitted Liens and filings for which termination statements have been delivered to the Collateral Agent.

 

(iii)        The Liens granted to the Collateral Agent hereunder constitute valid security interests under the UCC securing the Secured Obligations to the extent such Liens on the applicable Collateral may be created under the UCC.

 

(iv)        Subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement, upon (A) the filing of all UCC financing statements in the filing offices set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule V hereto naming such Grantor as “debtor” and the Collateral Agent as “secured party” and describing the Collateral, (B) the execution and delivery of all Control Agreements with respect to each Deposit Account and Securities Account (other than Excluded Accounts) of the Grantors in existence on the Closing Date to the extent required to be delivered hereunder, (C) the delivery of certificates evidencing Pledged Stock and instruments evidencing Pledged Debt to the Collateral Agent, (D) the completion of all steps necessary to grant control to the Collateral Agent with respect to Investment Related Property and Electronic Chattel Paper in each case to the extent constituting Collateral and (E) the recordation of the Patent Security Agreement and the Trademark Security Agreement in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Copyright Security Agreement in the United States Copyright Office, the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent hereunder shall constitute a valid and perfected Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent subject to no other Lien other than the Permitted Liens (other than, in each case, any Collateral with respect to which Excluded Perfection Actions are not required to be taken).

 

(v)         [Reserved.]

 

(vi)        [Reserved.]

 

(vii)       [Reserved.]

 

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(viii)      On the Closing Date, Schedule I (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof) sets forth (a) each place of business of each Grantor (including its chief executive office); (b) all locations (other than as disclosed pursuant to clause (a)) where any of the Inventory or Equipment owned by each Grantor is kept, except (1) locations with respect to Inventory in transit, (2) locations at which Inventory or Equipment with a fair market value of less than $500,000 in the aggregate for each location is kept and (3) locations for Inventory with respect to “bill and hold” or consignment arrangements with a fair market value of less than $5000,000 in the aggregate for each location, which may be located at other locations; and (c) whether such Collateral location and place of business (including each Grantor’s chief executive office) is owned or leased (and if leased, specifies the complete name and notice address of each lessor).

 

(ix)         None of the Collateral constitutes, or is the Proceeds or products of, “farm products”, “as-extracted collateral”, “health-care-insurance receivables” or “timber to be cut” (in each case, as defined in the UCC), vessels or aircraft.

 

(b)          Covenants and Agreements. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that, subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement:

 

(i)          All of the Inventory manufactured, assembled, or with respect to which each Grantor may be liable for wages as a result of its manufacture or assembly, and, to the knowledge of such Grantor, all of such Grantor’s other Inventory, has or will be produced in compliance in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute, and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(ii)         [Reserved.]

 

(iii)        It shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent if any material portion of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed.

 

(iv)        Except as permitted by the Loan Documents, it shall not take any action which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Collateral Agent’s rights in the Collateral, including to sell, assign, transfer, license, grant any option with respect to the purchase of, or create any Lien upon, any Collateral, except for Permitted Liens and Dispositions permitted under the Credit Agreement.

 

(v)         It shall continue to collect, at its own expense, all amounts due or to become due to such Grantor in respect of any Collateral unless such Grantor shall in accordance with its sound business judgment reasonably determine in respect of any such amounts that such efforts would be of negligible value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder, such Grantor may allow as adjustments to amounts owing under its Receivables (1) an extension or renewal of the time or times of payment, or settlement for less than the total unpaid balance, which such Grantor finds appropriate in accordance with sound business judgment and (2) a refund or credit due as a result of returned, rejected or damaged goods or services, all in accordance with such Grantor’s ordinary course of business. In connection with such collections, each Grantor may take (and, at the Collateral Agent’s reasonable direction, shall take) such action as such Grantor or the Collateral Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to enforce collection of such amounts.

 

(vi)        [Reserved.].

 

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(vii)       Such Grantor shall keep full and accurate books and records relating to the Collateral, including, but not limited to, the originals of all Instruments and Chattel Paper and copies of all material documentation with respect to such Collateral, records of all payments received, all credits granted thereon, all merchandise returned and all other material dealings therewith, and such Grantor will, subject to the terms of Section 7.1.4 of the Credit Agreement, make the same available to the Collateral Agent for inspection. Upon direction by the Collateral Agent, such Grantor comply with Section 4.03(b)(i).

 

(viii)      [Reserved.]

 

(ix)         It will, promptly upon written request of the Collateral Agent, provide to the Collateral Agent all information and evidence that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request concerning the Collateral to enable the Collateral Agent to enforce the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 4.02         Equipment and Inventory.

 

(a)          [Reserved]

 

(b)          Covenants and Agreements with respect to Equipment and Inventory. Each Grantor covenants and agrees that, subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement:

 

(i)          It shall not deliver any Document (other than Documents constituting Excluded Assets) evidencing any Goods to any Person other than to the issuer of such Document to claim the Goods evidenced thereby or to the Collateral Agent, unless the Collateral Agent has received a perfected security interest in such Document.

 

(ii)         It will ensure that none of the Inventory or Equipment (other than Inventory or Equipment constituting Excluded Assets) is ever subject to or covered by a negotiable document of title, unless the Collateral Agent has received a perfected security interest in such negotiable document of title.

 

(iii)        If any Equipment or Inventory (other than Equipment or Inventory constituting Excluded Assets) of such Grantor is in possession or control of any third party, such Grantor shall, upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, in the case of any consignee or processor, file financing statements, to the extent permitted by the applicable UCC (including to the extent any necessary authorizations are obtained upon making commercially reasonable efforts), naming such consignee or processor as debtor, such Grantor as the secured party and the Collateral Agent as assignee in accordance with the requirements of the applicable UCC and, during the continuation of an Event of Default, deliver any notices to secured creditors of such consignee or processor required to maintain the perfection and priority (subject to Permitted Liens) of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in such Equipment or Inventory (other than Equipment or Inventory constituting Excluded Assets); provided, however, that no Grantor shall be required to take any of the foregoing actions if the value of such Inventory or Equipment in respect to which it and the other Grantors have not taken such action, does not exceed $500,000 per location.

 

Section 4.03         Receivables.

 

(a)          [Reserved]

 

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(b)          Covenants and Agreements with respect to Receivables: Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that, subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement::

 

(i)          It shall mark conspicuously, in form and manner reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, all Chattel Paper and Instruments constituting Collateral (other than any delivered to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms hereof or evidencing Receivables with a fair market value in excess of $500,000, individually), with an appropriate reference to the fact that the Collateral Agent has a security interest therein.

 

(ii)         Such Grantor shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be collected from each Account Debtor, as and when due, any and all amounts owing under or on account of each Receivable (including, without limitation, Receivables which are delinquent, such Receivables to be collected in accordance with lawful collection procedures) unless such Grantor shall reasonably determine in respect of any such Receivable that such efforts would be of negligible economic value, and shall apply forthwith upon receipt thereof all such amounts as are so collected to the outstanding balance of such Receivable. Such Grantor shall not rescind or cancel any indebtedness or obligation evidenced by any Receivable, modify, make adjustments to, extend, renew, compromise or settle any material dispute, claim, suit or legal proceeding relating to, or, other than in Dispositions permitted under the Credit Agreement, sell or assign, any Receivable, or interest therein, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder, such Grantor may allow as adjustments to amounts owing under its Receivables (1) an extension or renewal of the time or times of payment, or settlement for less than the total unpaid balance, which such Grantor finds appropriate in accordance with sound business judgment and (2) a refund or credit due as a result of returned, rejected or damaged goods or services, all in accordance with such Grantor’s ordinary course of business. The costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) of collection of Receivables, whether incurred by such Grantor or, upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Collateral Agent, shall be borne by the Grantors.

 

(iii)        During the continuation of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time, in the name of the Collateral Agent, any designee of the Collateral Agent or any Grantor, to verify the validity, amount or any other matter relating to any Accounts of the Grantors by mail, telephone or otherwise, which such verifications may be performed in the name of the Grantors. The Grantors shall cooperate fully with the Collateral Agent in an effort to facilitate and promptly conclude any such verification process. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Borrower, at its own expense, will cause its chief financial officer to furnish to the Collateral Agent at any time and from time to time promptly upon the Collateral Agent’s reasonable request (i) a reconciliation of all Receivables, (ii) trial balances and (iii) a test verification of such Receivables, all as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request.

 

(iv)        Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default and if so requested by the Collateral Agent, such Grantor will promptly notify (and such Grantor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent so to notify) each Account Debtor in respect of any Receivable that such Collateral has been assigned to the Collateral Agent hereunder for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and that any payments due or to become due in respect of such Collateral are to be made directly to the Collateral Agent or its designee.

 

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(v)         It shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep in full force and effect any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support (other than any Excluded Assets) relating to any Receivable.

 

(vi)        [Reserved.]

 

(c)          Delivery and Control of Receivables. Subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement, with respect to any Receivables that are evidenced by, or constitute, Tangible Chattel Paper or Instruments, each Grantor shall cause each originally executed copy thereof to be delivered to the Collateral Agent (or its agent or designee) appropriately indorsed to the Collateral Agent or indorsed in blank: (i) with respect to any such Receivables in existence on the date hereof, on or prior to the date hereof, and (ii) with respect to any such Receivables hereafter arising, promptly upon such Grantor acquiring rights therein. Subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement, with respect to any Receivables which would constitute Electronic Chattel Paper, each Grantor shall take all steps necessary to give the Collateral Agent control over such Receivables (within the meaning of Section 9-105 of the UCC): (i) with respect to any such Receivables in existence on the date hereof, on or prior to the date hereof and (ii) with respect to any such Receivables hereafter arising, promptly upon such Grantor acquiring rights therein; provided, however, that no Grantor shall be required to take any of the foregoing actions if the value of such Tangible Chattel Paper, Electronic Chattel Paper or Instrument in respect to which it and the other Grantors have not taken such actions, does not exceed $500,000 per item.

 

Section 4.04         Investment Related Property.

 

(a)          Representations and Warranties with respect to Pledged Stock. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(i)          Schedule II hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof) sets forth under the heading “Pledged Stock,” all of the Pledged Stock owned by any Grantor, and such Pledged Stock constitutes all of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of the respective issuers owned by such Grantor.

 

(ii)         Each Pledged Stock issued by a Borrower Party Affiliate has been duly authorized, validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable.

 

(iii)        Except as disclosed on Schedule II hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof), there are no outstanding warrants, options or other rights to purchase, or shareholder, voting trust or similar agreements outstanding with respect to, or property that is convertible into, or that requires the issuance or sale of, any Pledged Stock.

 

(iv)        [Reserved.]

 

(v)         (a) None of the Pledged Stock representing partnership or membership interests are or represent interests in issuers that are (x) registered as investment companies or (y) are dealt in or traded on securities exchanges or markets and (b) each issuer that is a limited liability company or a partnership has ensured, or will ensure, that its limited liability agreement, partnership agreement or other applicable organizational documents governing the interests issued by it, either expressly provides that each such interest shall be represented by a certificate and is and will remain a “security” within the meaning of, and governed by, Article 8 of the UCC or, if such documents do not expressly so provide, shall remain uncertificated and shall not be amended to “opt-in” to Article 8 of the UCC unless all actions are taken by the applicable Grantor to ensure that the Collateral Agent has a perfected and continuing security interest in such membership interests in accordance with Section 4.04(b)(i) hereof.

 

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(b)          Covenants and Agreements with respect to Pledged Stock. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

 

(i)          Without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, it shall not vote, or take any other action, to: (a) other than as permitted by the Loan Documents, amend or terminate any partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents in any way that materially adversely affects the value, validity, perfection or priority (subject to Permitted Liens) of the Collateral Agent’s security interest therein, (b) other than as permitted by the Loan Documents, permit any issuer of any Pledged Stock of such Grantor to issue any additional stock, partnership interests, limited liability company interests or other Capital Stock of any nature or to issue securities convertible into or granting the right of purchase or exchange for any stock or other Capital Stock of any nature of such issuer other than to the extent such stock, interests, securities or rights constitute Collateral, (c) other than as permitted under the Loan Documents, permit any issuer of any Pledged Stock to dispose of all or a material portion of its assets or (d) cause any issuer of any Pledged Stock representing partnership or membership interest of such Grantor which are not securities (for purposes of the UCC) on the date hereof to elect or otherwise take any action to cause such partnership or membership interest to be treated as securities for purposes of the UCC unless such Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of any such election or action and, in such event, shall take all steps deemed necessary or advisable in the Collateral Agent’s reasonable sole discretion to establish the Collateral Agent’s “control” thereof consistent with Section 4.04(g). Without limiting the foregoing, no agreement or other organizational document providing (i) that any such interest is and will remain a security under Article 8 of the UCC, (ii) that a partnership or membership interest is represented by a certificate (in which the Collateral Agent’s security interest has been or is required to be perfected pursuant to this Agreement) or (iii) that a partnership or membership interest is not represented by a certificate (in which the Collateral Agent’s security interest has been or is required to be perfected pursuant to this Agreement), shall be amended, modified or supplemented to provide otherwise without the consent of the Collateral Agent.

 

(ii)         It shall comply with all of its material obligations under any limited liability company agreement, partnership agreement or other applicable organizational documents governing the Pledged Stock.

 

(iii)        [Reserved.]

 

(c)          Representations and Warranties with respect to Pledged Debt. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants that Schedule II hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof) sets forth under the heading “Pledged Debt” all of the Pledged Debt owned by such Grantor evidenced by an Instrument with an outstanding principal amount of over $500,000, and to the knowledge of such Grantor, all of such Pledged Debt has been duly authorized, authenticated or issued and delivered and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the debtor thereunder, enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing).

 

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(d)          Representations and Warranties with respect to Investment Accounts. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(i)          Schedule II hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof) sets forth, under the heading “Securities Accounts”, all of the Securities Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) in which each Grantor has an interest, and such Schedule correctly identifies the name and address with respect to each depository, the name in which the account is held and the complete account number therefor. Each Grantor is the sole entitlement holder of each such Securities Account on Schedule II, and such Grantor has not consented to, and is not otherwise aware of, any Person (other than the Collateral Agent) having “control” (within the meanings of Sections 8-106 and 9-106 of the UCC) over, or any other interest in, any such Securities Account or any securities or other property credited thereto.

 

(ii)         Schedule II hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof) sets forth, under the heading “Deposit Accounts”, all of the Deposit Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) in which each Grantor has an interest, and such Schedule correctly identifies the name and address with respect to each depository, the name in which the account is held, a description of the purpose of the account, and the complete account number therefor. Each Grantor is the sole account holder of each such Deposit Account on Schedule II, and such Grantor has not consented to, and is not otherwise aware of, any Person (other than the Collateral Agent) having either sole dominion and control (within the meaning of common law) or “control” (within the meaning of Section 9-104 of the UCC) over, or any other interest in, any such Deposit Account or any money or other property deposited therein.

 

(iii)        Subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement, each Grantor has taken all actions necessary, including those specified in Sections 4.04(b), 4.04(e) and 4.04(g), to: (a) establish the Collateral Agent’s “control” (within the meanings of Sections 8-106 and 9-106 of the UCC) over any portion of the Investment Related Property constituting Certificated Securities, Uncertificated Securities, Securities Accounts or Security Entitlements (other than Excluded Assets); and (b) establish the Collateral Agent’s “control” (within the meaning of Section 9-104 of the UCC) over all Deposit Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts).

 

(e)          Delivery and Control with respect to Securities Accounts, Security Entitlements and Deposit Accounts. Subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement, with respect to any Investment Related Property consisting of Securities Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) or Security Entitlements, it shall cause the securities intermediary maintaining such Securities Account or Security Entitlement to enter into a Securities Account Control Agreement pursuant to which each such securities intermediary shall agree to comply with the Collateral Agent’s “entitlement orders” without further consent by such Grantor and the Collateral Agent shall have “control” (within the meaning of Section 8.106 of the UCC) over such Securities Accounts or Security Entitlements. Subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement, with respect to any Investment Related Property that is a “Deposit Account” (other than Excluded Accounts), it shall cause the depositary institution maintaining such account to enter into a Deposit Account Control Agreement, pursuant to which the Collateral Agent shall have “control” (within the meaning of Section 9-104 of the UCC) over such Deposit Account. Subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall have entered into (and shall not hereafter establish or maintain any Deposit Account or Securities Account (other than Excluded Accounts) unless such Grantor enters into) such Control Agreement with respect to: (i) any Securities Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts), Security Entitlements or Deposit Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) that exist on the Closing Date, within 90 days (or such longer period as approved by the Collateral Agent) following the Closing Date and (ii) any Securities Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts), Security Entitlements or Deposit Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) that are created or acquired after the Closing Date, within 90 days (or such longer period as approved by the Collateral Agent) following the deposit or transfer of any such assets, whether constituting moneys or investments, into any Securities Accounts or Deposit Accounts. The Collateral Agent hereby agrees that upon exercising its rights under any such Control Agreement with respect to any Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts or Security Entitlements, it shall not give instructions with respect thereto or liquidate any assets therein unless and until an Event of Default has occurred.

 

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(f)          Covenants and Agreements with respect to Investment Related Property Generally. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

 

(i)          Except as provided in the next sentence, in the event such Grantor receives any dividends, interest or distributions on any Investment Related Property, or any securities or other property upon the merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of any issuer of any Investment Related Property, then (a) such dividends, interest or distributions and securities or other property shall be included in the definition of Collateral (except to the extent constituting Excluded Assets) without further action and (b) such Grantor shall, subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement, immediately take all steps, if any, necessary or advisable to ensure the validity, perfection, priority (subject to Permitted Liens) and, if applicable, control of the Collateral Agent over such Investment Related Property, and pending any such action such Grantor shall be deemed to hold such dividends, interest, distributions, securities or other property in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and all of the same shall be segregated from all other property of such Grantor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent authorizes each Grantor to retain all cash dividends and distributions and all scheduled payments of interest.

 

(ii)         During the continuance of an Event of Default (other than with respect to any distributions permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.4 of the Credit Agreement), (a) the Collateral Agent shall have the right, at any time in its discretion and without notice to the Grantor, to (x) transfer to or to register any Pledged Stock or any Investment Related Property in its name or in the name of its nominees and (y) exchange any certificate or instrument representing or evidencing any Pledged Stock or any Investment Related Property for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations and (b) (x) all rights of each Grantor to receive the dividends, interest, distributions, cash, instruments and other payments and distributions which it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain pursuant to Section 4.04(f)(i) shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Collateral Agent, which shall thereupon have the sole right to receive and hold as Collateral such dividends, interest, distributions, cash, instruments and other payments and distributions and (y) all dividends, interest, distributions, cash, instruments and other payments and distributions which are received by any Grantor contrary to the provisions of paragraph (i) of this Section 4.04(f) shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, shall be segregated from other property or funds of such Grantor and shall be forthwith delivered, in the same form as so received, to the Collateral Agent or its nominee or custodian to hold as Collateral.

 

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(g)          Delivery and Control of Certificates, Instruments and Uncertificated Securities Constituting Investment Related Property. Subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement, with respect to any Investment Related Property that is represented by a certificate or that is an “instrument” (other than any Investment Related Property credited to a Securities Account), it shall cause such certificate or instrument to be delivered to the Collateral Agent and indorsed in blank by an “effective indorsement” (as defined in Section 8-107 of the UCC), regardless of whether such certificate constitutes a “certificated security” for purposes of the UCC. Subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement, with respect to any Investment Related Property that is an “uncertificated security” for purposes of the UCC (other than any “uncertificated securities” credited to a Securities Account) with a fair market value in excess of $500,000, it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the issuer of such uncertificated security to execute a Securities Account Control Agreement with respect to thereto. Subject to Section 6.1.2 of the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall have taken such actions with respect to: (i) any Investment Related Property that is represented by a certificate or that is an “instrument” (other than any Investment Related Property credited to a Securities Account) that exist on the Closing Date, as of the Closing Date and (ii) any Investment Related Property that is represented by a certificate or that is an “instrument” (other than any Investment Related Property credited to a Securities Account) that are created or acquired after the Closing Date, within 90 days (or such longer period as approved by the Collateral Agent) following the acquisition thereof; provided, however, that no Grantor shall be required to take any of the foregoing actions if the value of such Investment Related Property in respect to which it and the other Grantors have not taken such action, does not exceed $500,000 per item.

 

(h)          Voting and Distributions with respect to Investment Related Property.

 

(i)          So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

 

(A)         except as otherwise provided under the covenants and agreements relating to Investment Related Property in this Agreement or the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall be entitled to exercise or refrain from exercising any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Investment Related Property or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement; and

 

(B)         the Collateral Agent shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to each Grantor all proxies, and other instruments as such Grantor may from time to time reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Grantor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights when and to the extent which it is entitled to exercise pursuant to clause (A) above.

 

(ii)         Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:

 

(A)         Upon notice to the Borrower by the Collateral Agent (provided that if an Event of Default specified under Sections 8.1.12 or 8.1.13 of the Credit Agreement shall occur, no such notice shall be required), all rights of each Grantor to exercise or refrain from exercising the voting and other consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant hereto shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Collateral Agent who shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights (and any right of conversion, exchange and subscription and any other right, privilege or option pertaining to the Investment Related Property) as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including the right to exchange at its discretion any Investment Related Property upon the merger, amalgamation, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate or equivalent structure of any issuer of Investment Related Property, the right to deposit and deliver any Investment Related Property with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Collateral Agent may determine), all without liability except to account for property actually received by it; provided, however, that the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to any Grantor to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing; and

 

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(B)         in order to permit the Collateral Agent to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which it may be entitled to exercise pursuant hereto and to receive all dividends and other distributions which it may be entitled to receive under this Section 4.04(h): (1) each Grantor shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to the Collateral Agent all proxies, dividend payment orders and other instruments as the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably request and (2) each Grantor acknowledges that the Collateral Agent may utilize the power of attorney set forth in Section 6.01.

 

(iii)        Each Grantor hereby expressly irrevocably authorizes and instructs, without any further instructions from such Grantor, each issuer of any Investment Related Property pledged hereunder by such Grantor (i) to comply with any instruction received by such issuer from the Collateral Agent (which the Collateral Agent hereby agrees shall not be given unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) without consultation with or instruction from such Grantor and each Grantor agrees that such issuer shall be fully protected from liabilities to such Grantor in so complying and (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to pay any dividend or make any other payment with respect to the Investment Related Property directly to the Collateral Agent.

 

(i)          Consent with respect to Jointly Owned Investment Related Property. To the extent that more than one Grantor has rights in any Investment Related Property, such Grantor consents to the grant by each other Grantor that has rights in such Investment Related Property of a security interest therein to the Collateral Agent and, without limiting the foregoing, consents to the transfer of any Pledged Stock representing partnership or membership interests to the Collateral Agent or its nominee upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and to the substitution of the Collateral Agent or its nominee as a partner in any partnership or as a member in any limited liability company with all the rights and powers related thereto.

 

Section 4.05         [Reserved].

 

Section 4.06         Intellectual Property.

 

(a)          Representations and Warranties with respect to Intellectual Property. Except as disclosed in Schedule III hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof), each Grantor hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(i)          Schedule III (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof) sets forth a true and complete list as of the Closing Date of the Intellectual Property each Grantor owns, licenses or otherwise has the right to use and, including for each item (1) the owner, (2) the title, (3) the jurisdiction in which such item has been registered or otherwise arises or in which an application for registration has been filed, (4) as applicable, the registration or application number and registration or application date and (5) any IP Licenses or other rights (including franchises) granted by such Grantor with respect thereto.

 

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(ii)         Each Grantor owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted except for such Intellectual Property the failure of which to own or license would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of each Grantor, (a) the conduct and operations of the businesses of each Grantor does not infringe, misappropriate, dilute, violate or otherwise impair any Intellectual Property owned by any other Person and (b) no other Person has contested any right, title or interest of any Grantor in, or relating to, any Intellectual Property, other than, in each case, as cannot reasonably be expected to affect the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein and would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(iii)        No holding, decision or judgment has been rendered by any Official Body which would directly limit, cancel or question the validity of, or such Grantor’s rights in, any Intellectual Property owned by such Grantor or, to Grantor’s knowledge, licensed to such Grantor the result of which would reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(iv)        It is the sole and exclusive owner of the entire right, title, and interest in and to all material Intellectual Property listed on Schedule III hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof) as owned by each Grantor, except for rights in material Intellectual Property granted pursuant to an IP License, and Grantor owns or has the valid right to use all other material Intellectual Property used in or reasonably necessary to conduct its business free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens.

 

(b)          Covenants and Agreements with respect to Intellectual Property. Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees as follows:

 

(i)          Each Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will, for each Patent, not do any act, or omit to do any act, whereby any Patent which is material to the conduct of such Guarantor’s business may become invalidated or dedicated to the public, and, to the extent consistent with past practices, shall continue to mark any products covered by a Patent with the relevant patent number or indication that a Patent is pending as required by the patent laws.

 

(ii)         Each Grantor (either itself or, if permitted by law, through its licensees or its sublicensees) will, for each Trademark material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business, (i) maintain such Trademark in full force free from any claim of abandonment or invalidity from non-use, material alteration, naked licensing or genericide, (ii) use reasonable best efforts to maintain the quality of products and services offered under such Trademark in a manner substantially consistent with or better than the quality of such products and services as of the date hereof, (iii) use reasonable best efforts to display such Trademark with proper notice, including notice of federal registration to the extent permitted by applicable law, (iv) not knowingly use or knowingly permit the use of such Trademark in violation of any third party rights, (v) not permit any assignment in gross of such Trademark and (vi) subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, allow the Collateral Agent and its designees the right to inspect such Grantor’s premises and to examine and observe such Grantor’s books, records and operations, including, without limitation, its quality control processes, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times.

 

(iii)        Each Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will, for each work covered by a Copyright material to the conduct of its business, continue to publish, reproduce, display, adopt and distribute the work with appropriate copyright notice.

 

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(iv)        Each Grantor shall take all reasonable steps in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, any state registry or any foreign counterpart of the foregoing, including the payment of applicable fees, to maintain and pursue any application, and to maintain each registration of the Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights owned by any Grantor and which are now or shall become included in the Collateral except for those items of Intellectual Property that are no longer in use and have negligible value or such Intellectual Property is no longer beneficial to the business of such Grantor in the commercially reasonable judgment of such Grantor.

 

(v)         Such Grantor shall, together with the delivery of each officer’s certificate pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of the Credit Agreement, report to the Collateral Agent any of the following to the extent applicable: (A) the filing by such Grantor or on its behalf of any application to register any Intellectual Property, owned by such Grantor in whole or in part, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office; (B) the registration of any Intellectual Property owned by such Grantor in whole or in part by any such office; (C) the acquisition by such Grantor of any Intellectual Property or (D) any new contractual obligation granting a material IP License from or to any Grantor. Concurrently therewith, such Grantor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent (x) a modified Schedule III hereto to reflect the applicable modified information and (y) signed counterparts of a Trademark Security Agreement, Patent Security Agreement and/or Copyright Security Agreement, as applicable, together with all supplements to the schedules thereto solely with respect to any United States federally registered Intellectual Property. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Grantor shall be obligated to take any action to perfect any security interest in any part of the Collateral under the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States of America.

 

(vi)        If any rights to any material Patent, Trademark or Copyright are believed infringed, misappropriated or diluted by a third party in any material respect, such Grantor shall (A) notify the Collateral Agent promptly after it learns thereof, (B) cooperate with the Collateral Agent to identify actions that are reasonably appropriate under the circumstances to protect such Patent, Trademark or Copyright, and (C) at Collateral Agent’s reasonable request, unless such Grantor shall reasonably determine that such Patent, Trademark or Copyright is of negligible economic value to it, take those actions to protect such Patent, Trademark or Copyright, including (to the extent requested) suing for infringement, misappropriation or dilution. If any material IP License is believed breached in any material respect by any party other than a Grantor, such Grantor shall (A) notify the Collateral Agent promptly after it learns thereof, (B) cooperate with the Collateral Agent to identify actions that are reasonably appropriate under the circumstances to protect such IP License, and (C) at Collateral Agent’s reasonable request, unless such Grantor shall reasonably determine that such IP License is of negligible economic value to it, take those actions to protect the Grantor’s rights under such IP License, including (to the extent requested) suing for breach.

 

(vii)       Other than abandonment in the ordinary course of Intellectual Property, which, in the reasonable good faith determination of a Grantor, is not material to the conduct of the business of such Grantor, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent if it knows or has reason to know that any U.S. Patent, Trademark or Copyright necessary to or used in such Grantor’s business may become abandoned or becomes dedicated to the public, or of any adverse determination or development (including, without limitation, the institution of, or any such determination or development in, any proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any court, but excluding any non-final office actions issued in the ordinary course) regarding such Grantor’s ownership of any Patent, Trademark or Copyright necessary to or used in such Grantor’s business or its right to register the same or to keep, use or maintain the same.

 

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(viii)      It shall use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid the inclusion in any IP Licenses or any other contractual obligations of provisions that would impair or prevent the creation of a security interest in, or the collateral assignment of, such Grantor’s rights and interests under such license or in any Intellectual Property acquired under such license, unless the Collateral Agent otherwise consents.

 

Section 4.07         Commercial Tort Claims.

 

(a)          No Grantor has a Commercial Tort Claim except as shown on Schedule IV (as such Schedule may be amended from time to time to reflect permitted changes with respect to Commercial Tort Claims since the date of the last disclosure; provided that any such amendment to Schedule IV shall only be effective as of the day of such amendment and such amendment shall not affect any incorrect disclosure or omission on Schedule IV (or any Default or Event of Default resulting therefrom) prior to any such amendment).

 

(b)          In the event any Commercial Tort Claim arises or otherwise becomes known after the date hereof, the applicable Grantor will deliver to the Collateral Agent a supplement to Schedule IV hereto describing such Commercial Tort Claim and expressly subjecting such Commercial Tort Claim, all judgments and/or settlements with respect thereto and all Proceeds thereof to the security interests granted hereunder.

 

Section 4.08         Bonding. Except as set forth in Schedule VI and custom bonds in the ordinary course of business, as of the Closing Date, no Grantor is a party to or bound by any surety bond agreement, indemnification agreement therefor or bonding requirement with respect to products or services sold by it.

 

ARTICLE V
FURTHER ASSURANCES and ADDITIONAL GRANTORS

 

Section 5.01         Further Assurances.

 

(a)          Each Grantor agrees that from time to time, and at the expense of such Grantor, it shall promptly authenticate, execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all further actions, that may be reasonably necessary or desirable, or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request (other than, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any Excluded Perfection Actions), in order to create and/or maintain the validity, perfection or priority (subject to Permitted Liens) of and protect any security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor shall:

 

(i)          file such financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and execute and deliver such other agreements, instruments, endorsements, powers of attorney or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to perfect and preserve the security interests granted or purported to be granted hereby;

 

(ii)         take all actions necessary to ensure the recordation of appropriate evidence of the Liens and security interest granted hereunder in Intellectual Property with any intellectual property registry in which said Intellectual Property is registered or in which an application for registration is pending including, without limitation, the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office;

 

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(iii)        at the Collateral Agent’s reasonable request and to the extent commercially reasonable, appear in and defend any action or proceeding that may materially or adversely affect such Grantor’s title to or the Collateral Agent’s security interest in all or any part of the Collateral;

 

(iv)        furnish to the Collateral Agent from time to time such certificates, notices, statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other documents in connection with the Collateral as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent; and

 

(v)         maintain the security interest in the Collateral granted hereunder as a valid and perfected (subject to Excluded Perfection Actions) Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent subject to no other Lien other than Permitted Liens and senior in priority to all other Liens other than the Permitted Liens.

 

(b)          Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent, if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, to take all steps it deems reasonably necessary to maintain and preserve the Collateral, consistent with the Grantor’s obligations to do so hereunder, including, the making of additional filings, the payment of maintenance fees and the defense of challenges to the Grantor’s title or validity, all at the Grantor’s expense, and hereby ratified any such actions of the Collateral Agent heretofore taken.

 

(c)          Each Grantor hereby authorizes, at the Grantor’s expense, the filing of, and ratifies any prior filing of, any financing statements or continuation statements, and amendments to financing statements or any similar document, in any jurisdictions and with any filing offices as the Collateral Agent may determine, in its sole discretion, are necessary, advisable or prudent to perfect or to maintain the perfection of the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent herein. Such financing statements may describe the Collateral in the same manner as described herein or may contain an indication or description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Collateral Agent may determine, in its sole discretion, is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral granted to the Collateral Agent herein, including, without limitation, describing such property as “all assets” or “all personal property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired,” or words of similar meaning. Each Grantor shall furnish to the Collateral Agent from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other reports in connection with the Collateral as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

 

Section 5.02         Additional Grantors. From time to time subsequent to the date hereof, additional Persons may become parties hereto as additional Grantors (each, an “Additional Grantor”) by executing a joinder to this Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (the “Security Agreement Joinder”). Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such Security Agreement Joinder, such Additional Grantor shall take all such actions and deliver to the Collateral Agent all such documents and agreements as such Additional Grantor would have been required to deliver to the Collateral Agent on or prior to the date of this Agreement had such Additional Grantor been a party hereto on the date of this Agreement, including, among other things, supplements to Schedule I, II, III and IV hereto. Upon delivery of any such Security Agreement Joinder to the Collateral Agent, notice of which is hereby waived by Grantors, each Additional Grantor shall be a Grantor and shall be as fully a party hereto as if Additional Grantor were an original signatory hereto. Each Grantor expressly agrees that its obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release of any other Grantor hereunder, nor by any election of the Collateral Agent not to cause any subsidiary of any Grantor to become an Additional Grantor hereunder. This Agreement shall be fully effective as to any Grantor that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other Person becomes or fails to become a Grantor hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE VI
AGENT APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT

 

Section 6.01         Power of Attorney. Each Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent (and all Persons designated by the Collateral Agent) as such Grantor’s true and lawful attorney (and agent-in-fact) for the purposes provided herein and such power, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable until the Secured Obligations are paid in full and until there is no commitment by any Secured Party to make further loans, incur obligations or otherwise give value. The Collateral Agent, or the Collateral Agent’s designee, may at any time and from time to time, without notice and in either its or a Grantor’s name, but at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors:

 

(i)          take any and all appropriate action and execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to carry out the terms of this Agreement;

 

(ii)         if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, endorse one or more Grantors’ names on any Payment Item or other Proceeds of Collateral (including Proceeds of insurance) that come into the Collateral Agent’s possession or control (it being understood and agreed that if any such Payment Item or other Proceeds of Collateral come into the Collateral Agent’s possession or control when an Event of Default is not continuing, the Collateral Agent shall turn over such Payment Item or such Proceeds to the applicable Grantor);

 

(iii)        prepare, sign and file for recordation in any Intellectual Property registry appropriate evidence of the Lien and security interest granted herein in the Intellectual Property in the name of such Grantor as assignor or pledgor;

 

(iv)        if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, take or cause to be taken all actions reasonably necessary to perform or comply or cause performance or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, including, without limitation, to pay or discharge taxes or Liens (other than Permitted Liens) levied or placed upon or threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity thereof and the amounts necessary to discharge the same to be determined by the Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion, and any such payments made by the Collateral Agent to become Secured Obligations of such Grantor under the Credit Agreement, and execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to carry out the terms of this Agreement; and

 

(v)         if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing: (i) notify any Account Debtors (including obligors with regards to payment due or to become due in respect of Intellectual Property) of the assignment of their Accounts, demand and enforce payment of Accounts by legal proceedings or otherwise and generally exercise any rights and remedies with respect to Accounts; (ii) settle, adjust, modify, compromise, discharge or release any Accounts or other Collateral, or any legal proceedings brought to collect Accounts or Collateral; (iii) sell or assign any Accounts and other Collateral upon such terms, for such amounts and at such times as the Collateral Agent deems advisable; (iv) collect, liquidate and receive balances in Deposit Accounts or investment accounts, and take control, in any manner, of Proceeds of Collateral; (v) prepare, file and sign a Grantor’s name to a proof of claim or other document in a bankruptcy of an Account Debtor, or to any notice, assignment or satisfaction of Lien or similar document; (vi) receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to a Grantor, and notify postal authorities to deliver any such mail to an address designated by the Collateral Agent; (vii) endorse any Chattel Paper, Document, Instrument, bill of lading or other document or agreement relating to any Accounts, Inventory or other Collateral; (viii) use a Grantor’s stationery and sign its name to verifications of Accounts and notices to Account Debtors; (ix) use information contained in any data processing, electronic or information systems relating to Collateral; (x) make and adjust claims under insurance policies; (xi) take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to obtain payment under any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or other instrument for which a Grantor is a beneficiary; and (xii) take all other actions as Collateral Agent deems reasonably appropriate to fulfill any Grantor’s obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

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ARTICLE VII
REMEDIES

 

Section 7.01         Generally.

 

(a)          If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it at law or in equity, all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected Collateral) to collect, enforce or satisfy any Secured Obligations then owing, whether by acceleration or otherwise, and also may separately, successively or simultaneously exercise any other rights or remedies afforded under any agreement, by law, at equity or otherwise, including the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC. Such rights and remedies include the rights to:

 

(i)          take possession of any Collateral;

 

(ii)         require a Grantor to assemble Collateral, at such Grantor’s expense, and make it available to the Collateral Agent at a place designated by the Collateral Agent;

 

(iii)        enter any premises where Collateral is located and store Collateral on such premises until sold (and if the premises are owned or leased by a Grantor, such Grantor agrees not to charge for such storage);

 

(iv)        sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral in its then condition, or after any further manufacturing or processing thereof, at public or private sale, with such notice as may be required by applicable Law, in lots or in bulk, at such locations, all as the Collateral Agent, in its discretion, deems advisable; and

 

(v)         if it so elects, seek the appointment of a receiver or keeper to take possession of any Collateral and to enforce any of the Collateral Agent’s remedies (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), with respect to such appointment without prior notice to the extent permitted by applicable Law.

 

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(b)          The Collateral Agent or any Secured Party may be the purchaser of any or all of the Collateral at any public or private (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) sale in accordance with the UCC, and the Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of the Secured Parties, shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such sale made in accordance with the UCC, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any Collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale. The Collateral Agent shall have the right to conduct such sales on any Grantor’s premises, without charge, and such sales may be adjourned from time to time in accordance with applicable Law. Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. Each Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, ten days notice to such Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification. The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. Each Grantor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) any claims against the Collateral Agent arising by reason of the fact that the price at which any Collateral may have been sold at such a private sale was less than the price which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if the Collateral Agent accepts the first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to more than one offeree. If the Proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations, each Grantor shall be liable for the deficiency and the reasonable and documented fees of counsel employed by the Collateral Agent to collect such deficiency. Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section will cause irreparable injury to the Collateral Agent, that the Collateral Agent has no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no default has occurred giving rise to the Secured Obligations becoming due and payable prior to their stated maturities. Nothing in this Section shall in any way alter the rights of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

(c)          The Collateral Agent may sell the Collateral without giving any warranties as to the Collateral. The Collateral Agent may specifically disclaim or modify any warranties of title or the like. This procedure will not be considered to adversely affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral.

 

(d)          The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to marshal any of the Collateral.

 

Section 7.02         Application of Proceeds. Except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, all Proceeds received by the Collateral Agent in respect of any sale, any collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied in the order of priority set forth in Section 8.2.4 of the Credit Agreement.

 

Section 7.03         Sales on Credit. If the Collateral Agent sells any of the Collateral upon credit, the Grantor will be credited only with payments actually made by the purchaser thereof and received by the Collateral Agent and applied to indebtedness of such purchaser. In the event such purchaser fails to pay for the Collateral, the Collateral Agent may resell the Collateral, and the Grantor shall be credited with Proceeds of the sale in accordance with this Section 7.03.

 

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Section 7.04         Investment Related Property. Each Grantor recognizes that, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and applicable State securities laws, the Collateral Agent may be compelled, with respect to any sale of all or any part of the Investment Related Property conducted without prior registration or qualification of such Investment Related Property under the Securities Act and/or such State securities laws, to limit purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire the Investment Related Property for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges that any such private sale may be at prices and on terms less favorable than those obtainable through a public sale without such restrictions (including a public offering made pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act) and, notwithstanding such circumstances, each Grantor agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner and that the Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to engage in public sales and no obligation to delay the sale of any Investment Related Property for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer thereof to register it for a form of public sale requiring registration under the Securities Act or under applicable State securities laws, even if such issuer would, or should, agree to so register it. If the Collateral Agent determines to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Investment Related Property, upon written request, each Grantor shall and shall cause each issuer thereof from time to time to furnish to the Collateral Agent all such information as the Collateral Agent may request in order to determine the number and nature of interest, shares or other instruments included in the Investment Related Property which may be sold by the Collateral Agent in exempt transactions under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, as the same are from time to time in effect. If, in the opinion of the Collateral Agent, it is necessary or advisable to sell any portion of the Collateral consisting of Investment Related Property by registering such Investment Related Property under the Securities Act, each relevant Grantor shall cause each issuer of such Investment Related Property to do or cause to be done all acts as may be, in the opinion of the Collateral Agent, necessary or advisable to register such Investment Related Property or that portion thereof to be sold under the Securities Act, all as directed by the Collateral Agent in conformity with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable thereto and in compliance with the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any jurisdiction that the Collateral Agent shall designate.

 

Section 7.05         Intellectual Property.

 

(a)          Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:

 

(i)          the Collateral Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation) to bring suit or otherwise commence any action or proceeding in the name of any Grantor, the Collateral Agent or otherwise, in the Collateral Agent’s sole discretion, to enforce any Intellectual Property which is included in the Collateral, in which event, the Grantors shall, at the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all documents reasonably required by the Collateral Agent in aid of such enforcement, and the Grantors shall promptly, upon demand, reimburse and indemnify the Collateral Agent as provided in Section 8.02 hereof in connection with the exercise of its rights under this Section, and, to the extent that the Collateral Agent shall elect not to bring suit to enforce any Intellectual Property as provided in this Section, each Grantor agrees, at the request of the Collateral Agent, to take all reasonable measures, whether by action, suit, proceeding or otherwise, to prevent the infringement of any Intellectual Property necessary or beneficial to the business of such Grantor by others, and for that purpose, agrees to diligently maintain any action, suit or proceeding against any Person so infringing as shall be necessary to prevent such infringement;

 

(ii)         upon written demand from the Collateral Agent, each Grantor shall assign, convey or otherwise transfer to the Collateral Agent, or such Collateral Agent’s designee, all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the Intellectual Property included in the Collateral, and shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such documents as are reasonably necessary to effectuate and record such assignment, conveyance, or transfer of, or other evidence of foreclosure upon, such Intellectual Property;

 

(iii)        in the event of any assignment, conveyance or other transfer of any of the Trademarks included in the Collateral, the goodwill symbolized by any such Trademarks shall be included in such sale or transfer, and such Grantor shall supply to the Collateral Agent or its designee such Grantor’s manufacturing, advertising, and distribution know-how, and copies of records embodying such know-how, relating to products and services theretofore sold under such Trademarks;

 

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(iv)        each Grantor agrees that an assignment, conveyance or transfer of any Intellectual Property included in the Collateral shall be applied to reduce the Secured Obligations outstanding only to the extent that the Collateral Agent (or any Secured Party) receives Cash Proceeds in respect of such assignment, conveyance, or other transfer of the Intellectual Property; and

 

(v)         within five Business Days after written notice from the Collateral Agent, each Grantor shall make available to the Collateral Agent, to the extent within such Grantor’s power and authority, such personnel in such Grantor’s employ on the date of receipt of such notice, as the Collateral Agent may reasonably designate, by name, title or by job responsibility, to permit such Grantor, the Collateral Agent or its designees, directly or indirectly, to produce, advertise, and sell the products and services sold or delivered by such Grantor under Intellectual Property included in the Collateral on the Collateral Agent’s behalf and to be compensated by the Collateral Agent at such Grantor’s expense) consistent with the salary and benefit structure applicable to each, as of the date of such Event of Default.

 

(b)          If (i) an Event of Default shall have occurred and, by reason of cure, waiver, modification, amendment or otherwise, no longer be continuing, (ii) no other Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (iii) an assignment or other transfer to the Collateral Agent of any rights, title and interests in and to the Intellectual Property shall have been previously made and shall have become absolute and effective and (iv) the Secured Obligations shall not have become immediately due and payable, upon the written request of any Grantor, the Collateral Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to such Grantor, at such Grantor’s sole cost and expense, such assignments or other transfer as may be necessary to reassign to such Grantor any such rights, title and interests as may have been assigned to the Collateral Agent as aforesaid, subject to any disposition thereof (including a lease or license) that may have been made by the Collateral Agent in accordance with the Loan Documents; provided that, after giving effect to such reassignment, the Collateral Agent’s security interest granted pursuant hereto, as well as all other rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent granted hereunder, shall continue to be in full force and effect.

 

(c)          The Collateral Agent shall be granted an irrevocable, non-exclusive license or other right to use, license or sub-license (without payment of royalty or other compensation to any Person) any or all Intellectual Property of the Grantors, computer hardware and software, trade secrets, brochures, customer lists, promotional and advertising materials, labels, packaging materials and other property (in each case to the extent permitted by the applicable license agreements), in advertising for sale, marketing, selling, collecting, completing manufacture of, or otherwise exercising any rights or remedies following the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to any Collateral. Each Grantor’s rights and interests under Intellectual Property shall inure to the Collateral Agent’s benefit; provided, however, that the license granted in the preceding sentence (x) shall be subject to those exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property granted by the Grantors in effect on the date hereof and those granted by any Grantor hereafter (other than any exclusive license granted in breach of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement), to the extent conflicting, (y) may be exercised, at the option of the Collateral Agent, only upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, provided that any license, sublicense or other transaction entered into by the Collateral Agent in accordance herewith shall be binding upon the Grantors notwithstanding any subsequent cure of an Event of Default, and (z) applies to the use of the Trademarks in a manner that is not reasonably likely to result in the abandonment of the Trademarks due to insufficient quality control. The foregoing license grant to the Collateral Agent is in addition to, and not in limitation of, Agent’s rights under the Power of Attorney granted under Article VI.

 

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Section 7.06         Direct Obligation. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party shall be required to make any demand upon, or pursue or exhaust any right or remedy against, any Grantor or any other Person with respect to the payment of the Secured Obligations or to pursue or exhaust any right or remedy with respect to any Collateral therefor or any direct or indirect guaranty thereof.

 

Section 7.07         Commercially Reasonable. To the extent that applicable Law imposes duties on the Collateral Agent to exercise remedies in a commercially reasonable manner, each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that it is not commercially unreasonable for the Collateral Agent to do any of the following:

 

(i)          fail to incur significant costs, expenses or other liabilities reasonably deemed as such by the Collateral Agent to prepare any Collateral for disposition or otherwise to complete raw material or work in process into finished goods or other finished products for disposition;

 

(ii)         fail to obtain authorization or other consents from any Official Body for access to any Collateral to sell or for the collection or sale of any Collateral, or, if not required by other Law, fail to obtain authorization from any Official Body or other consents for the collection or disposition of any Collateral;

 

(iii)        fail to exercise remedies against Account Debtors or other Persons obligated on any Collateral or to remove Liens on any Collateral or to remove any adverse claims against any Collateral;

 

(iv)        advertise dispositions of any Collateral through publications or media of general circulation, whether or not such Collateral is of a specialized nature or to contact other Persons, whether or not in the same business as any Grantor, for expressions of interest in acquiring any such Collateral;

 

(v)         exercise collection remedies against Account Debtors and other Persons obligated on any Collateral, directly or through the use of collection agencies or other collection specialists, hire one or more professional auctioneers to assist in the disposition of any Collateral, whether or not such Collateral is of a specialized nature or, to the extent deemed appropriate by the Collateral Agent, obtain the services of other brokers, investment bankers, consultants and other professionals to assist the Collateral Agent in the collection or disposition of any Collateral, or utilize internet sites that provide for the auction of assets of the types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable capacity of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets to dispose of any Collateral;

 

(vi)        dispose of assets in wholesale rather than retail markets;

 

(vii)       disclaim disposition warranties, such as title, possession or quiet enjoyment; or

 

(viii)      purchase insurance or credit enhancements to insure the Collateral Agent against risks of loss, collection or disposition of any Collateral or to provide to the Collateral Agent a guaranteed return from the collection or disposition of any Collateral.

 

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Each Grantor acknowledges that the purpose of this Section 7.07 is to provide a non-exhaustive list of actions or omissions that are not commercially unreasonable when exercising remedies against any Collateral and that other actions or omissions by the Collateral Agent shall not be deemed commercially unreasonable solely on account of not being indicated in this Section 7.07. Without limitation of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 7.07 shall be construed to grant any rights to any Grantor or to impose any duties on the Collateral Agent that would not have been granted or imposed by this Agreement or by applicable Law in the absence of this Section 7.07. Without limiting the foregoing, the Collateral Agent shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage to any of the Collateral, or for any diminution in the value thereof, by reason of the act or omission of any warehouseman, carrier, forwarding agency, consignee or other agent or bailee selected by the Collateral Agent in good faith.

 

ARTICLE VIII
THE COLLATERAL AGENT

 

Section 8.01         The Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent has been appointed to act as collateral agent hereunder by each Secured Party either pursuant to Article IX of the Credit Agreement or by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to the rights and benefits of the Collateral Agent as set forth in Article IX of the Credit Agreement as if the provisions of Article IX were fully set forth herein. The Collateral Agent shall be obligated, and shall have the right hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including, without limitation, the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Secured Party, by its acceptance of the benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such Secured Party that all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of each Secured Party in accordance with the terms of this Section. The Collateral Agent may resign pursuant to Section 9.13 of the Credit Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Collateral Agent under Section 9.13 of the Credit Agreement by a successor Collateral Agent, the retiring or removed Collateral Agent shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Collateral Agent all sums, Securities and other items of Collateral held hereunder, together with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor Collateral Agent under this Agreement, and (ii) execute (if applicable) and deliver to such successor Collateral Agent such amendments to financing statements, and take such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor Collateral Agent of the security interests created hereunder, whereupon such retiring or removed Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring or removed Collateral Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the Credit Agreement as the Collateral Agent, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Agreement while it was the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

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Section 8.02         Compensation and Expenses of the Collateral Agent; Indemnification.

 

(a)          Expenses. The Grantors, jointly and severally, agree (i) to pay or reimburse the Collateral Agent for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Collateral Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Collateral Agent) in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers (including any proposed amendments, modifications or waivers) of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), provided that, in accordance with Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement, all such reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel in connection with preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of the Loan Documents on or prior to the date hereof , and any ancillary documents and arrangements in connection therewith (other than any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications to the Loan Documents), shall not exceed in aggregate $500,000, (ii) to pay or reimburse the Collateral Agent for all taxes which the Collateral Agent may be required to pay by reason of the security interests granted in the Collateral (including any applicable transfer taxes) or to free any of the Collateral from the lien thereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Collateral Agent (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Collateral Agent), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 8.02, or (B) in connection with the Loans made under the Credit Agreement, including all such reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans; provided that the Grantors shall not be required to reimburse the legal fees and expenses of more than one outside counsel (in addition to up to one local counsel in each applicable local jurisdiction) for all Persons indemnified under this clause (a) unless, in the reasonable opinion of such indemnified Persons seeking reimbursement of such legal fees and expenses under this clause (a), representation of all such indemnified Persons would be inappropriate due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest in which case the Grantors shall only be required to reimburse the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket legal fees and expenses of no more than such minimum number of additional outside counsel for the indemnified persons as is necessary to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest.

 

(b)          Protection of Collateral. The Grantors shall reimburse the Collateral Agent for the reasonable costs incurred by it with respect to actions taken in accordance with Section 5.01(b). Subject to any limitations set forth in this Agreement or the Credit Agreement, all reasonable insurance expenses and all reasonable expenses of protecting, storing, warehousing, appraising, handling, maintaining and shipping the Collateral, any and all excise, property, sales and use taxes imposed by any state, federal or local authority on any of the Collateral, or in respect of periodic appraisals and inspections of the Collateral, or in respect of the sale or other disposition thereof shall be borne and paid by the Grantor. All sums so paid or incurred by the Collateral Agent for any of the foregoing and any and all other sums for which any Grantor may become liable hereunder and all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, legal expenses and court costs) reasonably incurred by the Collateral Agent in enforcing or protecting the security interests or any of their rights or remedies under, and in accordance with, this Agreement, shall be additional Secured Obligations hereunder.

 

(c)          Indemnification. The Grantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Collateral Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and each Affiliates, successors and assigns, and each of the officers, directors, employees, advisors, controlling persons, members and agents of each of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all actual losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable fees, out-of-pocket charges and disbursements of any outside counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by any Grantor arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by any Grantor or any of its Subsidiaries, or any liability under Environmental Laws related in any way to any Grantor or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding brought by a third party or by any Grantor or any of the Grantors’ directors, shareholders or creditors, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee; and provided further that the Grantors shall not be required to reimburse the legal fees and expenses of more than one outside counsel (in addition to any reasonably necessary special counsel and up to one local counsel in each applicable local jurisdiction) for all Indemnitees unless, in the reasonable opinion of such indemnified Persons seeking indemnity under this subsection (c), representation of all such Indemnitees would be inappropriate due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, in which case the Grantors shall only be required to reimburse the invoiced out-of-pocket fees and expenses of no more than such minimum number of additional outside counsel for the Indemnitees as is necessary to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest.

 

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(d)          Waiver of Consequential Damages. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the Grantors shall not assert, and hereby waive, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (c) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(e)          Survival. The agreements in this Section 8.02 shall survive the resignation of the Collateral Agent and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the Obligations.

 

ARTICLE IX
CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF SECURED OBLIGATIONS

 

Section 9.01         Continuing Security Interest; Transfer of Secured Obligations. This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of all Secured Obligations (other than unasserted contingent indemnification obligations not due and payable), be binding upon each Grantor, its successors and assigns, and inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and its successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to the terms of the Loan Documents, each Secured Party may assign or otherwise transfer any Secured Obligations held by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to each Secured Party herein or otherwise. Upon the payment in full of all Secured Obligations (other than unasserted contingent indemnification obligations not due and payable), the security interest granted hereby shall terminate hereunder and all rights to the Collateral shall revert and be deemed reassigned to Grantors. Upon any such termination, the Collateral Agent shall, at the Grantors’ request and expense, execute and deliver to Grantors such documents as Grantors shall reasonably request to evidence such termination reversions and/or reassignment, without recourse, representation, or warranty of any kind.

 

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ARTICLE X
STANDARD OF CARE; Collateral AGENT MAY PERFORM

 

Section 10.01         Standard of Care; Collateral Agent May Perform. The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and the interests of the Secured Parties and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Collateral Agent accords its own property. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon all or any part of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or otherwise. If any Grantor fails to perform any agreement contained herein, during an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by each Grantor in accordance with Section 8.02.

 

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 11.01         Notices. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given to a Grantor or Agent, shall be in writing and shall be sent to such Person’s address or facsimile number as set forth on the signature pages hereto (or, in the case of a Person who becomes an Additional Grantor subsequent to the date hereof, at the address or facsimile number shown on the signature page to the corresponding Security Agreement Joinder), or at such other address or facsimile number as a party may hereafter specify by notice in accordance with Section 10.5 of the Credit Agreement. Each such notice or other communication shall be effective only if given in accordance with Section 10.5 of the Credit Agreement.

 

Section 11.02         Amendments. Any amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, or consent to any departure by any Grantor therefrom, is subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement, provided, however, that schedules to this Agreement may be supplemented to the extent required under or permitted by this Agreement pursuant to a notice sent by the applicable Grantor to the Collateral Agent, and such schedules shall be deemed so amended and no consent of any other party shall be required. Except as expressly provided herein, no amendment, modification, termination, or consent, the effect of which would release all or substantially all of the Collateral, shall in any event be effective unless such release is in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

Section 11.03         Release. (A) Upon any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of the Collateral by any Grantor which is permitted by the terms of the Credit Agreement, such Collateral shall automatically be released from this Agreement, (B) upon the release of a Grantor from its guarantee under the Guarantee Agreement, the Collateral of such Grantor shall automatically be released from this Agreement, and (C) upon the payment in full or discharge of all Secured Obligations (other than contingent obligations as to which no claim has been made), all the Collateral shall automatically be released from this Agreement. In the case of any such release, the Collateral Agent will, at such Grantor’s expense, execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence the release of such Collateral from the security interest granted hereby and shall return to such Grantor such released Collateral in its possession.

 

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Section 11.04         Cumulative Rights. All agreements, warranties, guaranties, indemnities and other undertakings of the Grantors hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and not in derogation of each other. The rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties are cumulative, may be exercised at any time and from time to time, or concurrently or in any order, and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies available by agreement, by law, at equity or otherwise. All such rights and remedies shall continue in full force and effect until payment in full or discharge of all Secured Obligations.

 

Section 11.05         Waivers. No waiver or course of dealing shall be established by (i) the failure or delay of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to require strict performance by the Grantors with any terms hereof or of any of the other Loan Documents, or to exercise any rights or remedies with respect to Collateral or otherwise; (ii) the making of any Loan during a Default, Event of Default or other failure to satisfy any conditions precedent; or (iii) acceptance by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party of any payment or performance by any Grantor hereunder or under any other Loan Documents in a manner other than that specified therein.

 

Section 11.06         Reinstatement. Each Grantor agrees that, if the Proceeds, or any part thereof, of any Collateral paid to any Secured Party are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Collateral Agent or such Secured Party in its discretion) to be repaid to a Grantor, a trustee, receiver or any other Person, the Secured Obligation originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens and other Collateral securing such Secured Obligation, including all rights and remedies relating thereto, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made. If, prior to any of the foregoing, (i) any Lien or other Collateral securing the Secured Obligations shall have been released or terminated by virtue of the foregoing or (ii) any provision of the Guaranty shall have been terminated, cancelled or surrendered, such Lien, other Collateral or provision shall be reinstated in full force and effect and such prior release, termination, cancellation or surrender shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of any Grantor in respect of any Lien or other Collateral securing such obligation or the amount of such payment; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision shall have no force and effect with respect to Secured Obligations that survive the payment in full of the Obligations.

 

Section 11.07         Independent Obligations. The obligations of each Grantor hereunder are independent of and separate from the Secured Obligations of each other Grantor. If any Secured Obligation is not paid when due, or upon any Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may, at its sole election, proceed directly and at once, without notice, against any Grantor and any Collateral, to collect and recover the full amount of any Secured Obligation then due, without first proceeding against any other Grantor or any other Collateral and without first joining any other Grantor in any proceeding.

 

Section 11.08         Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Grantors, the Collateral Agent, the Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns, except that (i) no Grantor shall have the right to assign its rights or delegate its obligations hereunder or under any other Collateral Document; and (ii) any assignment by a Lender must be made in compliance with Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement. Any authorization or consent of a Secured Party shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent transferee or assignee of such Secured Party.

 

Section 11.09         Independence of Covenants. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

 

- 36 -
 

  

Section 11.10         Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. All representations, warranties and agreements made herein shall survive the execution and delivery hereof.

 

Section 11.11         Marshalling. None of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Parties shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Grantor or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all of the Secured Obligations.

 

Section 11.12         Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (i) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 11.13         Governing Law; Jurisdiction Etc.

 

(a)          Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN IN REGARD TO THE VALIDITY, PERFECTION OR EFFECT OF PERFECTION OF ANY LIEN OR IN REGARD TO PROCEDURAL MATTERS AFFECTING ENFORCEMENT OF ANY LIENS IN COLLATERAL, SUCH LAWS OF SUCH OTHER JURISDICTIONS SHALL CONTINUE TO APPLY TO THAT EXTENT.

 

(b)          Submission to Jurisdiction. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY GRANTOR IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS HEREUNDER OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.

 

- 37 -
 

  

(c)          Waiver of Venue. EACH GRANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION 11.13. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

Section 11.14         Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 11.14.

 

Section 11.15         Subordination.

 

(a)          Each Grantor executing this Agreement covenants and agrees that the payment of all indebtedness, principal, interest (including interest which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding in bankruptcy, or for the reorganization of any Grantor) owing by any other Grantor to such Grantor, including any royalty or licensing fees (collectively, the “Intercompany Obligations”), is subordinated, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Section 11.15, to the prior payment in full of all Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted) and that the subordination is for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, and the Collateral Agent may enforce such provisions directly.

 

(b)          Each Grantor executing this Agreement hereby (i) authorizes the Collateral Agent to demand specific performance of the terms of this Section 11.15, whether or not any other Grantor shall have complied with any of the provisions hereof applicable to it, at any time when such Grantor shall have failed to comply with any provisions of this Section 11.15 which are applicable to it and (ii) irrevocably waives (to the maximum extent permitted by Law) any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law, which might be asserted as a bar to such remedy of specific performance.

 

Section 11.16         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.

 

Section 11.17         Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Grantor when the Collateral Agent shall receive counterparts hereof executed by itself and such Grantor.

 

Section 11.18         Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and supersede any and all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, and any contemporaneous oral agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

- 38 -
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor and the Collateral Agent have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

  green brick partners, inc.
   
  By: /s/James R. Brickman
    Name: James R. Brickman
    Title: Authorized Signatory
   
  Notice Address:
   
  3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103
  Dallas, TX 75205

 

[Signature Page to Pledge and Security Agreement]

 

 
 

  

  BioFuel Energy, LLC
  BFE Holdings, LLC
  BFE Operating company, LLC
  Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC
  Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC
  Oregon Trail Energy, LLC
  Wagon Wheel Energy, LLC
  Gilman Trail energy, LLC
     
  By: /s/James R. Brickman
    Name: James R. Brickman
    Title: Authorized Signatory
   
  Notice Address:
   
  3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103
  Dallas, TX 75205

 

[Signature Page to Pledge and Security Agreement]

 

 
 

  

  JBGL Willow Crest LLC
  JBGL Hawthorne, LLC
  JBGL Inwood  LLC
  JBGL Chateau, LLC
  JBGL Castle Pines Management, LLC
  JBGL Lakeside, LLC
  JBGL Mustang LLC
  JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC
  JBGL Atlanta Development 2014, LLC
  JBGL Atlanta Development, LLC
  JBGL Avignon, LLC
  JBGL BF Development, LLC
  JBGL Chamdun, LLC
  JBGL HH, LLC
  JBGL Highlands Land, LLC
  JBGL Highlands Lender, LLC
  JBGL Jamestown, LLC
  JBGL Ownership LLC
  JBGL Vista, LLC
  Johns Creek 206, LLC
  The Providence Group at Jamestown II, L.L.C.
  Centre Living Homes, LLC
  Centre Commercial Construction, LLC
     
  By: /s/James R. Brickman
    Name:  James R. Brickman
    Title:  Manager
   
  Notice Address:
  3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103
  Dallas, TX 75205
   
  JBGL Castle Pines, LP
  By: JBGL CASTLE PINES MANAGEMENT, LLC
     
  By: /s/James R. Brickman
    Name:  James R. Brickman
    Title:  Manager
   
  Notice Address:
  3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103
  Dallas, TX 75205

 

[Signature Page to Pledge and Security Agreement]

 

 
 

  

  greenlight ape, llc,
  as Collateral Agent
   
  By: /s/Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Name:  Daniel Roitman/Harry Brandler
    Title:  Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
   
  Notice Address:
   
  Greenlight APE, LLC
  c/o Greenlight Capital, Inc.
  140 East 45th Street, 24th Floor
  New York, NY 10017
  Attn: Chief Financial Officer
  Fax: 212-973-9219
   
  With a copy to:
  Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
  One Bryant Park
  New York, NY 10036
  Attn: David D’urso
  Fax: 212-872-1002

 

[Signature Page to Pledge and Security Agreement]

 

 
 

  

Schedule I to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

LOCATION OF COLLATERAL

 

Grantor   Address   City / County   State / Zip   Owned /
Leased /
Third Party
  Lessor’s/
Third Party’s
Name
and Address
                     
GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC.   1600 Broadway, Suite 1740   Denver/ Denver County   Colorado 80202   Leased  

LBA Realty Fund II - Company IV, LLC

c/o LBA Realty

1600 Broadway, Suite 530

Denver, Colorado 80202

                     
BIOFUEL ENERGY, LLC   1600 Broadway, Suite 1740   Denver/ Denver County   Colorado 80202   Leased  

LBA Realty Fund II - Company IV, LLC

c/o LBA Realty

1600 Broadway, Suite 530

Denver, Colorado 80202

                     
BFE Holdings, LLC   1600 Broadway, Suite 1740   Denver/ Denver County   Colorado 80202   Leased  

LBA Realty Fund II - Company IV, LLC

c/o LBA Realty

1600 Broadway, Suite 530

Denver, Colorado 80202

                     
BFE Operating Company, LLC   1600 Broadway, Suite 1740   Denver/ Denver County   Colorado 80202   Leased  

LBA Realty Fund II - Company IV, LLC

c/o LBA Realty

1600 Broadway, Suite 530

Denver, Colorado 80202

 

 
 

 

Schedule I to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

Grantor   Address   City / County   State / Zip   Owned /
Leased /
Third Party
  Lessor’s/
Third Party’s
Name
and Address
                     
Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC   1600 Broadway, Suite 1740   Denver/ Denver County   Colorado 80202   Leased  

LBA Realty Fund II - Company IV, LLC

c/o LBA Realty

1600 Broadway, Suite 530

Denver, Colorado 80202

                     
Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC   1600 Broadway, Suite 1740   Denver/ Denver County   Colorado 80202   Leased  

LBA Realty Fund II - Company IV, LLC

c/o LBA Realty

1600 Broadway, Suite 530

Denver, Colorado 80202

                     
Oregon Trail Energy, LLC   1600 Broadway, Suite 1740   Denver/ Denver County   Colorado 80202   Leased  

LBA Realty Fund II - Company IV, LLC

c/o LBA Realty

1600 Broadway, Suite 530

Denver, Colorado 80202

                     
Wagon Wheel Energy, LLC   1600 Broadway, Suite 1740   Denver/ Denver County   Colorado 80202   Leased  

LBA Realty Fund II - Company IV, LLC

c/o LBA Realty

1600 Broadway, Suite 530

Denver, Colorado 80202

                     
Gilman Trail Energy, LLC   1600 Broadway, Suite 1740   Denver/ Denver County   Colorado 80202   Leased  

LBA Realty Fund II - Company IV, LLC

c/o LBA Realty

1600 Broadway, Suite 530

Denver, Colorado 80202

 

 
 

 

Schedule I to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

Grantor   Address   City / County   State / Zip   Owned /
Leased /
Third Party
  Lessor’s/
Third Party’s
Name
and Address
                     
JBGL WILLOW CREST LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL HAWTHORNE, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL INWOOD LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL CHATEAU, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL CASTLE PINES, LP   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL CASTLE PINES MANAGEMENT, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL LAKESIDE, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL MUSTANG LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL KITTYHAWK, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

 

 
 

  

Schedule I to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

Grantor   Address   City / County   State / Zip   Owned /
Leased /
Third Party
  Lessor’s/
Third Party’s
Name
and Address
                     
JBGL Atlanta Development 2014, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL ATLANTA DEVELOPMENT, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL AVIGNON, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL BF DEVELOPMENT, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL CHAMDUN, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL HH, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL HIGHLANDS LAND, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL HIGHLANDS LENDER, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL JAMESTOWN, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

 

 
 

 

 

Schedule I to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

Grantor   Address   City / County   State / Zip   Owned /
Leased /
Third Party
  Lessor’s/
Third Party’s
Name
and Address
                     
JBGL OWNERSHIP LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JBGL VISTA, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
JOHNS CREEK 206, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
THE PROVIDENCE GROUP AT    JAMESTOWN II, L.L.C.   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
CENTRE LIVING HOMES, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

                     
CENTRE COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, LLC   3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103   Dallas/ Dallas County   Texas 75205   Leased  

3131 BJTN LLC/ 3131 Harvard, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

 

 
 

 

Schedule II to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

INVESTMENT RELATED PROPERTY

 

Pledged Stock:

 

Grantor   Stock Issuer   Class of
Stock
  Certificated
(Y/N)
  Stock
Certificate
No.
  Par
Value
  No. of
Pledged
Stock
  % of
Outstanding
Stock of the
Stock Issuer
                             
Green Brick Partners, Inc.   JBGL Builder Finance LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
Green Brick Partners, Inc.   JBGL Exchange, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
Green Brick Partners, Inc.   JBGL Hawthorne, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
Green Brick Partners, Inc.   JBGL Inwood LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
Green Brick Partners, Inc.   JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
Green Brick Partners, Inc.   JBGL Mustang LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
Green Brick Partners, Inc.   JBGL Willow Crest LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
Green Brick Partners, Inc.   JBGL Castle Pines, LP   Partnership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
Green Brick Partners, Inc.   JBGL Castle Pines Management, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
Green Brick Partners, Inc.   BioFuel Energy, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
BioFuel Energy, LLC   BFE Holdings, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
BioFuel Energy, LLC   Oregon Trail Energy, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
BioFuel Energy, LLC   Wagon Wheel Energy, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
BioFuel Energy, LLC   Gilman Trail Energy, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
BFE Holdings, LLC   BFE Operating Company, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%

 

 
 

 

BFE Operating Company, LLC   Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
BFE Operating Company, LLC   Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
JBGL Ownership LLC   The Providence Group of Georgia, L.L.C.   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   50%
                             
JBGL Ownership LLC   The Providence Group of Florida, L.L.C.   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   50%
                             
JBGL Ownership LLC   CB JENI Homes DFW LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   50%
                             
JBGL Ownership LLC   Southgate Homes DFW LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   50%
                             
JBGL Ownership LLC   Centre Living Homes, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%
                             
Centre Living Homes, LLC   Centre Commercial Construction, LLC   Membership Units   N   N/A   N/A   N/A   100%

 

Pledged Debt: None

 

Grantor   Issuer   Original
Principal

Amount
  Outstanding
Principal
Balance
  Issue Date   Maturity Date
                     

 

Securities Accounts: None

 

Grantor   Share of
Securities
Intermediary
  Account Number   Account Name
             

 

- 2 -
 

 

Deposit Accounts:

 

Grantor   Name of
Depositary Bank
  Account
Number
  Account Name
             
BioFuel Energy, LLC   Keybank National Association   769681038113   Biofuel Energy, LLC – Operating
BioFuel Energy, LLC   Keybank National Association   769681038154   Biofuel Energy, LLC – Payroll
BioFuel Energy, LLC   Keybank National Association   769681070181   Biofuel Energy Corp – Operating
JBGL BF Development,  LLC   Inwood Bank   3237898   JBGL BF Development, LLC
JBGL Atlanta Development, LLC   Inwood Bank   3238938   JBGL Atlanta Development, LLC
JBGL Avignon, LLC   Inwood Bank   3231509   JBGL Avignon, LLC
JBGL HH, LLC   Inwood Bank   3231410   JBGL HH, LLC
JBGL Highlands Land, LLC   Inwood Bank   3231533   JBGL Highlands Land, LLC
JBGL Highlands Lender, LLC   Inwood Bank   3231373   JBGL Highlands Lender, LLC
JBGL Jamestown, LLC   Inwood Bank   3231517   JBGL Jamestown, LLC
Johns Creek 206, LLC   Inwood Bank   3238874   Johns Creek 206, LLC
JBGL Ownership LLC   Inwood Bank   3231541   JBGL Ownership LLC
JBGL VISTA,  LLC   Inwood Bank   3231525   JBGL Vista, LLC
JBGL Atlanta Development 2014, LLC   Inwood Bank   3235550   JBGL Atlanta Development 2014, LLC
JBGL Willow Crest LLC   Inwood Bank   3211890   JBGL Willow Crest LLC Operating
JBGL Willow Crest LLC   Inwood Bank   2038491   JBGL Willow Crest LLC Money Market
JBGL Inwood LLC   Inwood Bank   3215197   JBGL Inwood LLC Operating
JBGL Inwood LLC   Inwood Bank   2039857   JBGL Inwood LLC Money Market
JBGL Castle Pines, LP   Inwood Bank   3224771   JBGL Castle Pines, LP Operating
JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC   Inwood Bank   3235673   JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC Operating
JBGL Chateau, LLC   Inwood Bank   3235665   JBGL Chateau, LLC Operating
JBGL Hawthorne, LLC   Inwood Bank   3234291   JBGL Hawthorne, LLC Operating
JBGL Mustang LLC   Inwood Bank   3235868   JBGL Mustang LLC Operating
JBGL Capital, LP   Comerica Bank   1881491615   JBGL Capital, LP Operating
JBGL Willow Crest LLC   PlainsCapital Bank   2600005611   JBGL Willow Crest LLC Operating
JBGL Inwood LLC   PlainsCapital Bank   2600005603   JBGL Inwood LLC Operating
JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC   PlainsCapital Bank   2600005488   JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC Operating
JBGL Chateau, LLC   PlainsCapital Bank   2600005470   JBGL Chateau, LLC Operating
JBGL Hawthorne, LLC   PlainsCapital Bank   2600005595   JBGL Hawthorne, LLC Operating
JBGL Mustang LLC   PlainsCapital Bank   2600005462   JBGL Mustang LLC Operating
JBGL Lakeside, LLC   PlainsCapital Bank   3800012829   JBGL Lakeside, LLC Operating

 

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Schedule III to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

Intellectual Property

 

None

 

 
 

 

Schedule IV to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

Commercial Tort Claims

 

None

 

 
 

 

Schedule V to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

Filings to Perfect Security Interests

 

Name   State Filing Office
     
Green Brick Partners, Inc.   Delaware
     
BioFuel Energy, LLC   Delaware
     
JBGL Willow Crest LLC   Texas
     
JBGL Hawthorne, LLC   Texas
     
JBGL Inwood  LLC   Texas
     
JBGL Chateau, LLC   Texas
     
JBGL Castle Pines, LP   Texas
     
JBGL Castle Pines Management, LLC   Texas
     
JBGL Lakeside, LLC   Texas
     
JBGL Mustang LLC   Texas
     
JBGL Kittyhawk, LLC   Texas
     
JBGL Atlanta Development 2014, LLC   Georgia
     
JBGL Atlanta Development, LLC   Georgia
     
JBGL Avignon, LLC   Texas
     
JBGL BF Development, LLC   Texas
     
JBGL Chamdun, LLC   Georgia
     
JBGL HH, LLC   Texas
     
JBGL Highlands Land, LLC   Georgia

 

 
 

  

Name   State Filing Office
     
JBGL Highlands Lender, LLC   Georgia
     
JBGL Jamestown, LLC   Georgia
     
JBGL Ownership LLC   Delaware
     
JBGL Vista, LLC   Texas
     
Johns Creek 206, LLC   Georgia
     
The Providence Group at Jamestown II, L.L.C.   Georgia
     
Centre Living Homes, LLC   Texas
     
Centre Commercial Construction, LLC   Texas
     
BFE Holdings, LLC   Delaware
     
BFE Operating Company, LLC   Delaware
     
Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC   Delaware
     
Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC   Delaware
     
Oregon Trail Energy, LLC   Delaware
     
Wagon Wheel Energy, LLC   Delaware
     
Gilman Trail Energy, LLC   Delaware

 

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Schedule VI to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

Bonding

 

None

 

 
 

 

Exhibit A to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

Form of Grant of Security Interest in United States Copyrights

 

FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, [Loan Party Name], [Loan Party Description] (the “Grantor”), hereby grants to Greenlight APE, LLC, as Collateral Agent, (the “Grantee”), a security interest in all of the Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following (all of the following items or types of property being herein collectively referred to as the “Copyright Collateral”), whether presently existing or hereafter arising or acquired:

 

(i)          the United States and foreign copyrights and any renewals thereof, including each Copyright listed on Schedule A hereto;

 

(ii)         all other United States and foreign copyrights and any renewals thereof;

 

(iii)        all registrations and applications for registration of any such copyright in the United States or any other country, including registrations, recordings, supplemental, derivative or collective work registrations and pending applications for registrations in the United States Copyright Office;

 

(iv)        all tangible property embodying or incorporating any or all of the foregoing; and

 

(v)         all products, proceeds and related accounts of the foregoing, including any claim by the Grantor against third parties for past, present or future infringement of any Copyright, whether registered or not.

 

THIS GRANT is granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to the Grantee pursuant to that certain Pledge and Security Agreement among the Grantor, the Grantee and certain other parties, dated as of October 27, 2014, as amended, restated, amended and restated, waived, supplemented and/or modified from time to time (the “Pledge and Security Agreement”).

 

THIS GRANT has been granted in conjunction with the security interest granted to the Grantee under the Pledge and Security Agreement. The rights and remedies of the Grantee with respect to the security interest granted herein are without prejudice to the Pledge and Security Agreement, all terms and provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event that any provisions of this Grant are deemed to conflict with the Pledge and Security Agreement, the provisions of the Pledge and Security Agreement shall govern.

 

THIS GRANT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTION 5.1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK).

 

This Grant may be executed in counterparts (by telecopy or other electronic imaging), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the _____ day of _____________, 20__.

 

  [LOAN PARTY NAME], as Grantor
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
   
  GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, as Collateral Agent, as Grantee
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

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Schedule A to Copyright Agreement

 

COPYRIGHTS AND COPYRIGHT APPLICATIONS

 

Serial No. or
Registration No.
  Country   Issue or
Filing Date
  Description
             
             
             
             
             
             

 

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Exhibit B to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

Form of Grant of Security Interest in United States Patents and Trademarks

 

FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, [Loan Party Name], [Loan Party Description] (the “Grantor”), having its chief executive office at [Loan Party Notice Address], hereby grants to Greenlight APE, LLC, as Collateral Agent, (the “Grantee”), with offices at [Collateral Agent Notice Address], a security interest in all of the Assignor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following (all of the following items or types of property being herein collectively referred to as the “Patent and Trademark Collateral”), whether presently existing or hereafter arising or acquired:

 

(i)          each United States patent and patent application, including each Patent and Patent Application referred to on Schedule A hereto;

 

(ii)         each United States trademark, trademark registration and trademark application, and all of the goodwill of the business connected with the use of, and symbolized by, each trademark, trademark registration and trademark application, including each Trademark, Trademark Registration and Trademark Application referred to in Schedule B hereto; and

 

(iii)        all products and proceeds of the foregoing, including any claim by the Grantor against third parties for past, present or future infringement of any Patent, or past, present or future infringement or dilution of any Trademark or Trademark registration, including any Patent or Trademark listed on Schedule A or B hereto, or for injury to the goodwill associated with any Trademark or Trademark registration.

 

THIS GRANT is granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to the Grantee pursuant to that certain Pledge and Security Agreement among the Grantor, the Grantee and certain other parties, dated as of October 27, 2014, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (the “Pledge and Security Agreement”).

 

THIS GRANT has been granted in conjunction with the security interest granted to the Grantee under the Pledge and Security Agreement. The rights and remedies of the Grantee with respect to the security interest granted herein are without prejudice to the Pledge and Security Agreement, all terms and provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event that any provisions of this Grant are deemed to conflict with the Pledge and Security Agreement, the provisions of the Pledge and Security Agreement shall govern.

 

THIS GRANT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTION 5.1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK).

 

This Grant may be executed in counterparts (by telecopy or other electronic imaging), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the _____ day of _____________, 20__.

 

  [LOAN PARTY NAME], as Grantor
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
   
  GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, as Collateral Agent, as Grantee
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

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Schedule A to Patent and Trademark Agreement

 

PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS

 

Serial No. or
Patent No.
  Date   Issue Title   Inventor   Country   Patent Holder
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     

 

- 3 -
 

 

Schedule B to Patent and Trademark Agreement

 

TRADEMARKS

 

Registration No.   Country   Issue Date   Mark
             
             
             
             
             
             

 

TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS

 

Serial No.   Country   Filing Date   Mark
             
             
             
             
             
             

 

- 1 -
 

 

Exhibit C to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

Form of Security Agreement Joinder

 

This Joinder No. _____ (this “Joinder”), dated as of [·], is made by [·], a [·] [·] (the “New Grantor”) and GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2014 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Pledge and Security Agreement”), by and among GREENLIGHT BRICK PARTNERS, INC., each of the other grantors parties listed on the signature pages thereto and those additional entities that thereafter become grantor parties thereto and GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, as Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings provided in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

The Grantors are required by Section 5.02 of the Pledge and Security Agreement to cause the New Grantor to become a “Grantor” thereunder.

 

Accordingly, the New Grantor hereby agrees as follows with the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties:

 

1.          The New Grantor hereby (i) agrees that, by execution and delivery of this Joinder, the New Grantor shall become a “Grantor” under the Pledge and Security Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor, (ii) acknowledges receipt of a copy and agrees to be obligated and bound as a “Grantor” by all of the terms and provisions of the Pledge and Security Agreement, (iii) grants to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a continuing security interest in the Collateral, in each case, to secure the full and punctual payment of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof and to secure the performance of all of the obligations of each Loan Party under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv) represents and warrants that each Schedules I, II, III, IV, V, and VI hereto, is complete and accurate with respect to the New Grantor as of the date hereof after giving effect to the New Grantor’s accession to the Pledge and Security Agreement as an additional Grantor thereunder, and (v) acknowledges and agrees that, from and after the date hereof, each reference in the Pledge and Security Agreement to a “Grantor” or the “Grantors” shall be deemed to include the New Grantor.

 

2.          The New Grantor agrees that at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, it will execute and deliver such further documents and do such further acts and things as the Collateral Agent or such Secured Party may reasonably request in order to effect the purposes of this Joinder.

 

3.          This Joinder: (a) may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute one contract; and (b) may, upon execution, be delivered by facsimile or electronic mail, which shall be deemed for all purposes to be an original signature.

 

4.          Sections 11.08, 11.12, 11.13 and 11.14 of the Pledge and Security Agreement are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.

 

[REMINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

- 1 -
 

  

Exhibit C to Pledge and Security Agreement

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Joinder to the Pledge and Security Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date and year first above written.

 

  [NEW GRANTOR], as Grantor
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
   
  Notice Address:
   
  [●]

 

- 1 -
 

 

  GREENLIGHT APE, LLC, as Collateral Agent
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

- 1 -



 

Exhibit 10.15

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT by and between Green Brick Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and James R. Brickman (“Executive”) (each a “Party” and collectively the “Parties”) is made as of October 27, 2014 (the “Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive as its Chief Executive Officer, and Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth in this employment agreement (this “Agreement”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants, understandings, representations, warranties, undertakings and promises hereinafter set forth, intending to be legally bound thereby, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.           Employment Period.

 

Subject to earlier termination in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed by the Company for a period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Employment Period”) unless the parties mutually agree to extend the term at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Employment Period. Upon Executive’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, at the Company’s request, Executive shall immediately resign all positions with the Company and all of its subsidiaries and its affiliates (collectively, the “Company Group”), including any position as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).

 

2.           Terms of Employment.

 

(a)          Position. During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and will perform such duties and exercise such supervision with regard to the business of the Company as are associated with such position, including such duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board. Executive shall report directly to the Board and if reasonably requested by the Board, Executive hereby agrees to serve (without additional compensation) as an officer and director of the Company Group.

 

(b)          Duties. During the Employment Period, Executive shall have such responsibilities, duties, and authority that are customary for Executive’s position, subject at all times to the control of the Board, and shall perform such services as customarily are provided by an executive of a corporation with Executive’s position and such other services consistent with Executive’s position, as shall be assigned to Executive from time to time by the Board. During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote all of Executive’s business time to the business and affairs of the Company Group and to use Executive’s commercially reasonable efforts to perform faithfully, effectively and efficiently Executive’s responsibilities and obligations hereunder. Executive shall be entitled to engage in charitable and educational activities and to manage Executive’s personal and family investments, to the extent such activities are not competitive with the business of the Company Group, do not interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company Group and are otherwise consistent with the Company Group’s governance policies.

 

 
EXECUTION COPY

 

(c)          Compensation.

 

(i)          Base Salary. During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive an annual base salary in an amount equal to one million four hundred thousand dollars ($1,400,000), less all applicable withholdings, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company and prorated for partial calendar years of employment (as in effect from time to time, the “Annual Base Salary”). The Annual Base Salary shall be subject to review every three years by the Board, in its sole discretion, for possible increase (but not decrease) and any such increased Annual Base Salary shall constitute “Annual Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(ii)         Annual Bonus. During the Employment Period, with respect to each completed fiscal year of the Company, Executive shall be eligible to receive a bonus (the “Bonus”) with a target amount equal to 100% of the Annual Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”) contingent upon the achievement of qualitative and quantitative performance goals (based on EBITDA targets) established by the Board and assessed solely at the discretion of the Board. The Bonus shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the Company’s bonus plan as in effect from time to time. The Bonus may be paid partially in cash and partially in equity, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. For 2014 and for any year in which the Employment Period expires due to non-extension, Executive shall be entitled to a prorated Bonus based on the actual performance results for such year, prorated based on the number of days elapsed in such year and payable when the Bonus would ordinarily be payable.

 

(iii)        Options. As soon as practicable following the Effective Date, Executive shall be granted options (“Options”) to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”), subject to the terms of the applicable award agreement between the Company and Executive. The Options shall be exercisable within ten (10) years of the grant date (subject to earlier termination in customary circumstances), have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock as of the grant date which shall be determined based on weighted average price of the Company’s common stock for the five trading days before the grant date, and vest in five (5) substantially equal installments on each of the first five (5) anniversaries of the grant date.

 

(iv)        Benefits. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in all retirement, compensation and employee benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company to the extent applicable generally to senior executives of the Company (except severance plans, policies, practices, or programs) subject to the eligibility criteria set forth therein, as such may be amended or terminated from time to time. During the Employment Period, the Company will provide Executive with indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and directors’ and officers’ insurance coverage.

 

(v)         Expenses. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in performance of Executive’s duties hereunder provided that Executive provides all necessary documentation in accordance with the Company’s policies.

 

2
EXECUTION COPY

 

(vi)        Indemnification. The Company shall maintain an adequate level of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance to protect the Executive from liability related to his employment with the Company on a basis no less favorable than that provided to any director or officer of the Company. To the extent Executive is not indemnified by such insurance, the Company agrees to indemnify the Executive for liability related to his employment with the Company, other than any liability related to the Executive’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud of material breach of this Agreement or any of the Company’s policies, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and to promptly advance to the Executive or the Executive’s heirs or representatives related expenses upon written request with appropriate documentation of such expense upon receipt of an undertaking by the Executive or on the Executive’s behalf to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the Executive is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. The Company further agrees that such indemnification and agreement to advance expenses shall survive the Executive’s resignation, termination or expiration of this Agreement, with respect to actions taken by him during his employment with the Company, unless such actions could have been grounds for termination for Cause.

 

(vii)       Claw-Back. The Company may claw back from Executive any Bonus and equity-based compensation received in the prior year if the Company is required to restate financial results due to material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirements; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to claw back any Bonus or equity-based compensation received by Executive, irrespective of when received, that is required to be recovered pursuant to Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act once the rules thereunder have been implemented.

 

3.           Termination of Employment.

 

(a)          Death or Disability. Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death. If Executive becomes subject to a “Disability” (as defined below) during the Employment Period, the Company may give Executive written notice in accordance with Sections 3(g) and 9(g) of its intention to terminate Executive’s employment. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means Executive’s inability to perform Executive’s duties hereunder by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or one hundred eighty (180) days or more in any twelve (12) month period.

 

(b)          Cause. Executive’s employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for “Cause” (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean Executive’s (i) commission of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude, (ii) engaging in conduct that constitutes fraud or embezzlement, (iii) engaging in conduct that constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct that results or could reasonably be expected to result in harm to the Company Group’s business or reputation, (iv) breach of any material terms of Executive’s employment, including this Agreement or (v) continued willful failure to substantially perform Executive’s duties. Executive’s employment shall not be terminated for “Cause” within the meaning of clauses (iv) and (v) above unless Executive has been given written notice by the Company stating the basis for such intended termination and Executive is given fifteen (15) days to cure, to the extent curable, the neglect or conduct that is the basis of any such claim.

 

3
EXECUTION COPY

  

(c)          Termination Without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause at any time for any reason or no reason upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice.

 

(i)          Good Reason. Executive’s employment may be terminated by Executive for Good Reason upon the occurrence of any event or condition constituting Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means any of the following actions taken by the Company without Executive’s written consent: (i) any material failure of the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) a material and adverse change to, or a material reduction of, Executive’s duties and responsibilities to the Company, (iii) a material reduction in Executive’s then current Annual Base Salary (not including any diminution related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive specifically and that is not more than 10% in the aggregate), or (iv) the relocation of Executive’s primary office to a location more than fifty (50) miles from the prior location, which materially increases Executive’s commute to work; provided, that any such event shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until Executive shall have provided the Company with notice thereof no later than thirty (30) days following the initial occurrence of such event and the Company shall have failed to remedy such event within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice (such 30-day period, the “Good Reason Cure Period”). If, at the end of the Good Reason Cure Period, the event or condition that constitutes Good Reason has not been remedied, Executive will be entitled to terminate employment for Good Reason during the 30-day period that follows the end of the Good Reason Cure Period. If Executive does not terminate employment during such 30-day period, Executive shall not be permitted to terminate employment for Good Reason as a result of such event or condition.

 

(d)          Voluntary Termination. Executive’s employment may be terminated at any time by Executive without Good Reason upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice.

 

(e)          Termination as a Result of Expiration of the Employment Period. Unless otherwise agreed between the parties, Executive’s employment shall automatically terminate upon the expiration of the Employment Period.

 

(f)           Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or without Cause or by reason of Disability, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other Party hereto given in accordance with Section 9(g). For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the “Date of Termination” (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

 

4
EXECUTION COPY

 

(g)          Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, without Cause or by reason of Disability, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (in the case of a termination with or without Good Reason, provided such Date of Termination is in accordance with Section 3(d) or Section 3(e)), (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death, and (iii) the expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executive’s employment upon the date of such expiration.

 

4.           Obligations of the Company upon Termination.

 

(a)          For Good Reason; Without Cause. If during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive shall terminate Executive’s employment for Good Reason, then the Company will provide Executive with the following payments and/or benefits:

 

(i)          The Company shall pay to Executive (A) any vested payments or benefits to which Executive or Executive’s estate may be entitled to receive under any of the Company’s benefit plans or applicable law, in accordance with the terms of such plans or law and (B) as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 60 days following the Date of Termination in a lump sum to the extent not previously paid, (1) the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (2) the Bonus earned for any fiscal year ended prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, provided that Executive was employed on the last day of such fiscal year, and (3) the amount of any unpaid expense reimbursements to which Executive may be entitled pursuant to Section 2(c)(v) hereof (clauses (A) and (B), the “Accrued Obligations”); and

 

(ii)         Subject to Section 4(e) below, after the Date of Termination, the Company will pay Executive severance in an amount equal to two times the sum of (x) Executive’s Annual Base Salary plus (y) the Target Bonus for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs (the “Severance Payment”). The Severance Payment shall, subject to Section 4(e) below, be made in a lump sum on the date that is sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination, subject to the terms and conditions in Section 4(e) below.

 

(b)          Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability, then the Company will provide Executive with the Accrued Obligations. Thereafter, the Company Group shall have no further obligation to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives.

 

(c)          Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason, then the Company will provide Executive with the Accrued Obligations. Thereafter, the Company Group shall have no further obligation to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives.

 

(d)          Expiration of the Employment Period. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated by reason of the expiration of the Employment Period as result of the Company’s or Executive’s non-extension, then the Company will provide Executive with the Accrued Obligations. Thereafter, the Company Group shall have no further obligation to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives.

 

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EXECUTION COPY

 

(e)          Separation Agreement and General Release. The Company’s obligation to make the Severance Payment is conditioned on Executive’s or Executive’s legal representative’s executing a separation agreement and general release of claims related to or arising from Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination of employment, against the Company Group (and their respective officers and directors) in a form reasonably determined by the Company, which shall be provided by the Company to Executive within five (5) days following the Date of Termination; provided, that if such release does not become effective and irrevocable in accordance with its terms within fifty-five (55) days following the Date of Termination, the Company shall not have any obligation to provide the Severance Payment.

 

5.           Restrictive Covenants.

 

(a)           Non-Solicitation. In consideration of Executive’s employment and receipt of payments hereunder, during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination (the “Restricted Period”), Executive shall not directly, or indirectly through another person, (x) induce or attempt to induce any employee, representative, agent or consultant of the Company or any of its affiliates (the “Company Group”) to leave the employ or services of the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company Group and any employee, representative, agent or consultant thereof, (y) hire any person who was an employee, representative, agent or consultant of the Company Group at any time during the twelve-month period immediately prior to the date on which such hiring would take place or (z) directly or indirectly call on, solicit or service any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor, representative, agent or other business relation of the Company Group in order to induce or attempt to induce such person to cease doing business with, or reduce the amount of business conducted with, the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee, licensor, representative, agent or business relation of the Company Group. No action by another person or entity shall be deemed to be a breach of this provision unless the Executive directly or indirectly assisted, encouraged or otherwise counseled such person or entity to engage in such activity.

 

(b)          Non-Competition. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company Group would be irreparably damaged if Executive were to provide services to any person competing with the Company Group or engaged in a similar business and that such competition by Executive would result in a significant loss of goodwill by the Company Group. Therefore, in consideration of the payments and benefits provided to Executive and other obligations of the Company to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company’s promise and obligation to provide Executive with Confidential Information (as defined below), Executive agrees that during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not (and shall cause each of Executive’s affiliates not to) directly or indirectly own any interest in, manage, control, participate in (whether as an officer, director, manager, employee, partner, equity holder, member, agent, representative or otherwise), consult with, render services for, or in any other manner engage in any business engaged directly or indirectly, in the Geographic Area (as defined below), in the business of the Company Group as currently conducted or proposed to be conducted as of the Date of Termination; provided, that nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 5% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded so long as Executive does not actively participate in the business of such corporation. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Geographic Area” shall mean the United States of America and any other country or territory in which the Company Group has material business operations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may provide consulting services from time to time to the following companies: Centre Living Homes, LLC and its affiliates and Princeton Realty Corporation; provided, that such activities do not unreasonably interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company Group.

 

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(c)          Non-Disclosure; Non-Use of Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that the Company Group has a legitimate and continuing proprietary interest in the protection of its Confidential Information and that it has invested substantial sums and will continue to invest substantial sums to develop, maintain and protect such Confidential Information. Executive shall not disclose or use at any time, either during Executive’s employment with the Company or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information of which Executive is or becomes aware, whether or not such information is developed by Executive, except to the extent that such disclosure or use is directly related to and required by Executive’s performance in good faith of duties assigned to Executive by the Company. Executive will take all appropriate steps to safeguard Confidential Information in Executive’s possession and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, or at any time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) relating to the Confidential Information or the “Work Product” (as defined in Section 5(e)(ii)) of the business of the Company Group that Executive may then possess or have under Executive’s control.

 

(d)          Proprietary Rights. Executive recognizes that the Company Group possesses a legitimate and continuing proprietary interest in all Confidential Information and Work Product and has the exclusive right and privilege to use, protect by copyright, patent or trademark, or otherwise exploit the processes, ideas and concepts described therein to the exclusion of Executive, except as otherwise agreed between the Company Group and Executive in writing. Executive expressly agrees that any Work Product made or developed by Executive or Executive’s agents during the course of Executive’s employment, including any Work Product which is based on or arises out of Work Product, shall be the property of and inure to the exclusive benefit of the Company Group. Executive further agrees that all Work Product developed by Executive (whether or not able to be protected by copyright, patent or trademark) during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, or involving the use of the time, materials or other resources of the Company Group, shall be promptly disclosed to the Company Group and shall become the exclusive property of the Company Group, and Executive shall execute and deliver any and all documents necessary or appropriate to implement the foregoing.

 

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(e)          Certain Definitions.

 

(i)          As used herein, the term “Confidential Information” means information that is not generally known to the public (but for purposes of clarity, Confidential Information shall never exclude any such information that becomes known to the public because of Executive’s unauthorized disclosure) and that is used, developed or obtained by the Company Group in connection with its business, including, but not limited to, information, observations and data obtained by Executive while employed by the Company Group concerning (A) the business or affairs of the Company Group, (B) products or services, (C) fees, costs and pricing structures, (D) designs, (E) analyses, (F) drawings, photographs and reports, (G) computer software, including operating systems, applications and program listings, (H) flow charts, manuals and documentation, (I) databases, (J) accounting and business methods, (K) inventions, devices, new developments, methods and processes, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice, (L) customers and clients and customer or client lists, (M) other copyrightable works, (N) all production methods, processes, strategies, plans, technology and trade secrets, (O) personnel information, and (P) all similar and related information in whatever form. Confidential Information will not include any information that has been published in a form generally available to the public (except as a result of Executive’s unauthorized disclosure) prior to the date Executive proposes to disclose or use such information. Confidential Information will not be deemed to have been published or otherwise disclosed merely because individual portions of the information have been separately published, but only if all material features comprising such information have been published in combination.

 

(ii)         As used herein, the term “Work Product” means all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos and all similar or related information (whether patentable or unpatentable) that relates to the Company Group’s actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether or not during usual business hours and whether or not alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed by the Company together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, trade name and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing.

 

(f)          Enforcement. If Executive commits a breach of any of the provisions of this Section 5 or Section 6 below, the Company shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions specifically enforced by any court having jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed by Executive that the services being rendered hereunder to the Company Group are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and that any such breach will cause irreparable injury to the Company Group and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company Group. Such right and remedy shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company at law or in equity. Accordingly, Executive consents to the issuance of an injunction, whether preliminary or permanent, consistent with the terms of this Agreement (without posting a bond or other security) if the Company establishes a violation of Section 5 or 6 of this Agreement.

 

(g)          Blue Pencil. If, at any time, the provisions of this Section 5 shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable under any applicable law, by reason of being vague or unreasonable as to area, duration or scope of activity, this Agreement shall be considered divisible and shall become and be immediately amended to only such area, duration and scope of activity as shall be determined to be reasonable and enforceable by the court or other body having jurisdiction over the matter and Executive and the Company agree that this Agreement as so amended shall be valid and binding as though any invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included herein.

 

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(h)          EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS SECTION 5 AND HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW ITS PROVISIONS WITH ANY ADVISORS AS EXECUTIVE CONSIDERED NECESSARY AND THAT EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THIS AGREEMENT’S CONTENTS AND SIGNIFIES SUCH UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT BY SIGNING BELOW.

 

(i)          Severance Payments. In addition to the rights and remedies available to the Company under this Agreement, and not in any way in limitation of any right or remedy otherwise available to the Company Group, in the event that Executive violates any material term of this Agreement or any other agreement between the Company and Executive, (i) the Company’s obligation to pay the Severance Payment and Executive’s right to receive such Severance Payment shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and (ii) Executive shall promptly repay to the Company an amount equal to the portion of the Severance Payment previously paid to Executive.

 

6.           Non-Disparagement.

 

(a)          During the Employment Period and at all times thereafter, neither Executive nor Executive’s agents shall directly or indirectly, whether in public or private, make, publish, encourage, ratify, or authorize; or assist or enable any other person or entity in making, authorizing, ratifying, or publishing; any statements that in any way defame, criticize, malign, impugn, reflect negatively on, or disparage any of the Company Parties (as defined below), or cast any of the Company Parties in a negative light in any manner whatsoever. Executive also agrees that Executive will not publicly comment upon or discuss, or assist or permit any other person or entity to publicly comment upon or discuss, any of the Company Parties with any media source or outlet (whether negatively or otherwise), including but not limited to or with any reporters, bloggers, weblogs, websites, newspapers, magazines, television stations or productions, radio stations, news organizations, news outlets, or publications, or in any movie, book, or theatrical production. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful responses to (i) legal process or governmental inquiry or (ii) by private statements to the Company’s officers, directors or employees; provided, that in the case of Executive, with respect to clause (ii), such statements are made in the course of carrying out Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Company Parties” shall include the Company Group and all of its members; and all of the past, present, and future stockholders, members, partners, principals, investors, directors, officers, managers, benefit plans, fiduciaries, employees, agents, attorneys, heirs, representatives, administrators, successors, and assigns of any of the foregoing entities. Each of the Company Parties shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement and shall be authorized to enforce this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

(b)          During the Employment Period and at all times thereafter, the Company shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that no member of the Board nor any senior executive of the Company (the “Key Persons”) shall directly or indirectly, whether in public or private, make, publish, encourage, ratify, or authorize; or assist or enable any other person or entity in making, authorizing, ratifying, or publishing; any statements that in any way defame, criticize, malign, impugn, reflect negatively on, or disparage the Executive, or cast the Executive in a negative light in any manner whatsoever. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful responses to (i) legal process or governmental inquiry or (ii) by private statements to the Company’s officers, directors or employees by Key Persons; provided, that with respect to clause (ii), such statements are made in the course of carrying out the Key Person’s duties pursuant to the Company.

 

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7.           Confidentiality of Agreement.

 

The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree that the discussions and correspondence that led to this Agreement are private and confidential. Except as may be required by applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange requirement, neither Party may disclose the above information to any other person or entity without the prior written approval of the other Party.

 

8.           Executive’s Representations, Warranties and Covenants.

 

(a)          Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

(i)          Executive has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by Executive;

 

(ii)         the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Executive is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which Executive is subject;

 

(iii)        Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, consulting agreement, non-compete agreement, fee for services agreement, confidentiality agreement or similar agreement with any other person;

 

(iv)        upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms;

 

(v)         Executive understands that the Company will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of Executive set forth herein and Executive consents to such reliance; and

 

(vi)        as of the date of execution of this Agreement, Executive is not in breach of any of its terms, including having committed any acts that would form the basis for a Cause termination if such act had occurred after the Effective Date.

 

(b)          The Company hereby represents and warrants to Executive that:

 

(i)          the Company has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by the Company;

 

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(ii)         the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Company is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Company is subject;

 

(iii)        upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms; and

 

(iv)        the Company understands that Executive will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth herein and the Company consents to such reliance.

 

9.           General Provisions.

 

(a)          Severability. It is the desire and intent of the Parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights and obligations of any Party under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected thereby, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction; furthermore, in lieu of such invalid or unenforceable provision there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement, a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

(b)          Entire Agreement and Effectiveness. Effective as of the Effective Date, this Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

(c)          Successors and Assigns.

 

(i)          This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal representatives.

 

(ii)         This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company Group and their successors and assigns.

 

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(d)          Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

 

(e)          Enforcement.

 

(i)          Arbitration. Except as specifically set forth in Sections 5(f) of this Agreement, in consideration of Executive’s employment with the Company and Executive’s receipt of compensation and other benefits under this Agreement, EXECUTIVE AGREES THAT ANY AND ALL CONTROVERSIES, CLAIMS, OR DISPUTES WITH ANYONE (INCLUDING THE COMPANY GROUP AND ANY EMPLOYEE, OFFICER, DIRECTOR, STOCKHOLDER OR BENEFIT PLAN OF THE COMPANY GROUP, IN THEIR CAPACITY AS SUCH OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR RESULTING FROM EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY OR THE TERMINATION OF EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY, INCLUDING ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO BINDING ARBITRATION. Such arbitration shall take place in Dallas, Texas (unless the Parties agree in writing to a different location), before a single arbitrator, who shall be an attorney, in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Executive agrees that the arbitrator shall have the power to decide any motions brought by any party to the arbitration, including motions for summary judgment and/or adjudication and motions to dismiss and demurrers, prior to any arbitration hearing. Executive also agrees that the arbitrator shall have the power to award any remedies, including attorneys’ fees and costs, available under applicable law. The decision and award made by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and conclusive on all Parties hereto for all purposes, and judgment may be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company will bear the totality of the arbitrator’s and administrative fees and costs. Each Party shall otherwise bear its own litigation costs and expenses; provided, however, that the arbitrator shall have the discretion to award the prevailing Party reimbursement of its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. The arbitration shall be conducted on a strictly confidential basis, and Executive shall not disclose the existence of a claim, the nature of a claim, any documents, exhibits, or information exchanged or presented in connection with such a claim, or the result of any claim (collectively, “Arbitration Materials”) to any third party, with the sole exception of Executive’s legal counsel, who Executive shall ensure also fully complies with the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement. In the event of any court proceeding to challenge or enforce an arbitrator’s award, the Parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in Dallas, Texas and agree to exclusive venue in Dallas, Texas. The Parties hereby agree to take all steps necessary to protect the confidentiality of the Arbitration Materials in connection with any court proceeding, agree to take all appropriate steps to file all Confidential Information (and documents containing Confidential Information) under seal in any such proceeding where possible, and agree to the entry of an appropriate protective order encompassing the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement.

 

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(ii)         Remedies. All remedies hereunder are cumulative, are in addition to any other remedies provided for by law and may, to the extent permitted by law, be exercised concurrently or separately, and the exercise of any one remedy shall not be deemed to be an election of such remedy or to preclude the exercise of any other remedy.

 

(iii)        Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

(f)           Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended and waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and Executive and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

(g)          Notices. Any notice provided for in this Agreement must be in writing and must be either personally delivered, transmitted via telecopier, mailed by first class mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the recipient at the address below indicated or at such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder and received when delivered personally, when received if transmitted via telecopier, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit for overnight delivery with a reputable overnight courier service.

 

If to the Company, to:

 

Green Brick Partners, Inc.
3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

Attention: Chairman of the Board

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
One Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036
Facsimile: (212) 872-1002
Attention: Kerry Berchem

 

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If to Executive, to:

 

James R. Brickman

3615 Princeton Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75205

 

(h)          Withholdings Taxes. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

(i)           Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. All representations, warranties and agreements contained herein shall survive any termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement.

 

(j)           Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. All references to a “Section” in this Agreement are to a section of this Agreement unless otherwise noted.

 

(k)          Construction. Where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained herein, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any Party.

 

(l)           Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(m)         Section 409A.

 

(i)          Compliance. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement is intended to be interpreted and applied so that the payments and benefits set forth herein either shall either be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be exempt from or in compliance with Code Section 409A. To the extent that the Company determines that any provision of this Agreement would cause the Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A, the Company shall be entitled to reform such provision to attempt to comply with or be exempt from Code Section 409A through good faith modifications. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Executive and the Company without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event does the Company, its affiliates, officers, equityholders, employees, agents, members, directors, or representatives guarantee the exemption from or compliance with Code Section 409A and no such party shall have any liability for failure of this Agreement to be exempt from or comply with such Code section.

 

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(ii)         Separate Payments. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each payment payable hereunder shall be deemed to be a payment in a series of separate payments for purposes of Code Section 409A.

 

(iii)        Specified Employee. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or elsewhere to the contrary, if on the date of Executive’s termination from employment with the Company, Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and the Final Treasury Regulations using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time, or if none, the default methodology under Code Section 409A, any payments or benefits that constitute non-exempt deferred compensation under Code Section 409A and that are due upon a termination of Executive’s employment shall be delayed and paid or provided (or commence, in the case of installments) on the first payroll date on or following the earlier of (i) the date which is six (6) months and one (1) day after Executive’s termination of employment for any reason other than death, and (ii) the date of Executive’s death, and any remaining payments and benefits shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for such payment or benefit.

 

(iv)        Separation from Service. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or elsewhere to the contrary, a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits that constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A upon or following a termination of Executive’s employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service” and the date of such separation from service shall be the date of termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for purposes of any such payment or benefits.

 

(v)         No Designation. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement or otherwise which constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.

 

(vi)        Expense Reimbursement. With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Code Section 409A, (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year, and (iii) such payments shall be made on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred.

 

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(n)          Excess Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any of the payments or benefits provided or to be provided by the Company or any its affiliates to Executive or for Executive’s benefit pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (“Covered Payments”) are determined to constitute “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and would, but for this Section 9(n) be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) or any similar tax imposed by state or local law or any interest or penalties with respect to such taxes (collectively, the “Excise Tax”), then the Covered Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the Covered Payments is subject to the Excise Tax. All determinations required to be made under this Section 9(n), including whether a payment would result in an “excess parachute payment” and the assumptions utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by an accounting firm selected by the Company.

 

(o)          Employee Not to Act. The Employee agrees that the Employee is not entitled to, and will not, exercise any rights of the Company under this Agreement or act for or on behalf of the Company under this Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC.
     
  By: /s/Kelly G. Maguire
    Name:  Kelly G. Maguire
    Title: Executive Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Brickman Employment Agreement]

 

 
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  EXECUTIVE
   
  /s/James R. Brickman
  James R. Brickman

 

 

 

 



 

Exhibit 10.16

 

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GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC.

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), made as of this 27th day of October, 2014 (the “Date of Grant”), by and between Green Brick Partners, Inc. (the “Company”) and James R. Brickman (the “Participant”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to afford the Participant the opportunity to acquire ownership of shares of the Company’s Common Stock so that the Participant may have a direct proprietary interest in the Company’s success.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1.           Grant of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan (as defined below), the Company hereby grants to the Participant the right and option (the right to purchase any one share of Common Stock hereunder being an “Option”) to purchase from the Company, an aggregate of 500,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Option Shares”) at a price per share equal to $7.4861 (the “Exercise Price”). The Options granted hereunder shall expire ten (10) years following the Date of Grant. The Options are not granted under the Green Brick Partners, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) but will be subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement.

 

2.           Vesting and Exercisability.

 

(a)          Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and the Plan, the Options granted to the Participant shall become vested and exercisable in five (5) substantially equal installments on each of the first five (5) anniversaries of the Date of Grant; provided, that, the Participant is then employed by the Company or an Affiliate.

 

(b)          In the event that the Company terminates the Participant’s employment without Cause, any unvested Options then held by the Participant shall become vested and exercisable as of the date of such termination.

 

3.           Post-Termination Exercisability.

 

(a)          Any Termination. Except as provided in Section 2(b) above, unvested Options shall be cancelled for no consideration upon a termination for any reason.

 

(b)          For Cause. Upon a termination for Cause, all Options shall immediately terminate, including vested Options.

 

(c)          Vested and Exercisable. To the extent the Options were vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s termination of employment, the Options shall remain exercisable during the following post-termination periods:

 

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(i)          Death/Disability: Earlier of (A) one (1) year following such termination and (B) the expiration of the Option Term.

 

(ii)         All Other Terminations: Earlier of (A) ninety (90) days following such termination and (B) the expiration of the Option Term.

 

4.           Method of Exercising Option.

 

(a)          Payment of Exercise Price. Options, to the extent vested, may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by the payment in full of the aggregate Exercise Price. Such payment shall be made: (i) in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company, (ii) by means of “net exercise” whereby the Company reduces the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise with a value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price, (iii) solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, if the Common Stock is then traded on an established securities exchange or system in the United States, through a procedure whereby the Participant delivers irrevocable instructions to a broker reasonably acceptable to the Committee to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price or (iv) on such other terms and conditions as the Committee may permit, in its sole discretion.

 

(b)          Tax Withholding. At the time of exercise, the Participant shall pay to the Company such amount as the Company deems necessary to satisfy its obligation, if any, to withhold federal, state or local income or other taxes incurred by reason of the exercise of Options granted hereunder. Such payment shall be made: (i) in cash, (ii) by having the Company withhold from the delivery of shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercised that number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum withholding obligation, (iii) by delivering shares of Common Stock owned by the holder of the Option; provided, that such shares of Common Stock are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and are held for the applicable period as determined by the Company’s auditors to avoid adverse accounting charges, or (iv) by a combination of any such methods. For purposes hereof, shares of Common Stock shall be valued at Fair Market Value.

 

5.           Issuance of Shares. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, as promptly as practical after receipt of such written notification of exercise and full payment of the Exercise Price and any required income tax withholding, the Company shall issue or transfer to the Participant the number of Option Shares with respect to which Options have been so exercised (less shares withheld for payment of the Exercise Price and/or in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations, if any), and shall deliver to the Participant a certificate or certificates therefor, registered in the Participant’s name.

 

6.           Non-Transferability. Except as otherwise permitted in accordance with Section 14(b) of the Plan, the Options are not transferable by the Participant otherwise than to a designated beneficiary upon death or by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by him (or his legal representative in the event of incapacity). No assignment or transfer of the Options, or of the rights represented thereby, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise (except to a designated beneficiary, upon death, by will or the laws of descent and distribution), shall vest in the assignee or transferee any interest or right herein whatsoever, but immediately upon such assignment or transfer the Options shall terminate and become of no further effect.

 

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7.           Rights as Stockholder. The Participant or a transferee of the Options shall have no rights as stockholder with respect to any Option Shares until the Participant or such transferee shall have become the holder of record of such shares, and no adjustment shall be made for dividends or distributions or other rights in respect of such Option Shares for which the date on which stockholders of record are determined for purposes of paying dividends on shares of Common Stock is prior to the date upon which he shall become the holder of record thereof.

 

8.           Compliance with Law. Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the Participant hereby agrees that he will not exercise the Options, and that the Company will not be obligated to issue or transfer any shares to the Participant hereunder, if the exercise hereof or the issuance or transfer of such shares shall constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provisions of any law or regulation of any governmental authority. Any determination in this connection by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

9.           Non-Qualified Stock Options. The Options granted hereunder are not intended to be Incentive Stock Options.

 

10.         Binding Effect. Subject to Section 6 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators and successors of the parties hereto.

 

11.         Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflict of law principles.

 

12.         Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan are incorporated herein by reference, and the Participant hereby acknowledges receiving a copy of the Plan. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between the terms and provisions of the Plan and the provisions of this Agreement, this Agreement shall govern and control. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them as set forth in the Plan.

 

13.         Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by the Participant or the Company to the Committee for review. The resolution of such a dispute by the Committee shall be binding on the Company and the Participant.

 

14.         No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed by implication or otherwise to impose any limitation on any right of the Company to terminate the Participant’s employment.

 

15.         Severability. Every provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable and any illegal or invalid term shall not affect the validity or legality of the remaining terms.

 

16.         Headings. The headings of the Sections hereof are provided for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation of construction, and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement.

 

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17.         Signature in Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

 

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

  GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC.
     
  By:  /s/Jason Hibbs
  Name: Jason Hibbs
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Brickman Stock Option Agreement]

 

 
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  PARTICIPANT
     
  By:  /s/James R. Brickman
  Name: James R. Brickman

 

[Signature Page to Brickman Stock Option Agreement]

 

 

 



 

Exhibit 10.17

 

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This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT by and between Green Brick Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Jason Corley (“Executive”) (each a “Party” and collectively the “Parties”) is made as of October 27, 2014 (the “Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive as Chief Operating Officer of JBGL Builder Finance LLC, and Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth in this employment agreement (this “Agreement”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants, understandings, representations, warranties, undertakings and promises hereinafter set forth, intending to be legally bound thereby, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.           Employment Period.

 

Subject to earlier termination in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed by the Company for a period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Employment Period”) unless the parties mutually agree to extend the term at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Employment Period. Upon Executive’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, at the Company’s request, Executive shall immediately resign all positions with the Company and all of its subsidiaries and its affiliates (collectively, the “Company Group”), including any position as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).

 

2.           Terms of Employment.

 

(a)          Position. During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as Chief Operating Officer of JBGL Builder Finance LLC and will perform such duties and exercise such supervision with regard to the business of the Company as are associated with such position, including such duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”) and the Board. Executive shall report directly to the CEO and if reasonably requested by the Board, Executive hereby agrees to serve (without additional compensation) as an officer and director of the Company Group.

 

(b)          Duties. During the Employment Period, Executive shall have such responsibilities, duties, and authority that are customary for Executive’s position, subject at all times to the control of the CEO and the Board, and shall perform such services as customarily are provided by an executive of a corporation with Executive’s position and such other services consistent with Executive’s position, as shall be assigned to Executive from time to time by the CEO and the Board. During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote all of Executive’s business time to the business and affairs of the Company Group and to use Executive’s commercially reasonable efforts to perform faithfully, effectively and efficiently Executive’s responsibilities and obligations hereunder. Executive shall be entitled to engage in charitable and educational activities and to manage Executive’s personal and family investments, to the extent such activities are not competitive with the business of the Company Group, do not interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company Group and are otherwise consistent with the Company Group’s governance policies.

 

 
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(c)          Compensation.

 

(i)          Base Salary. During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive an annual base salary in an amount equal to three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000), less all applicable withholdings, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company and prorated for partial calendar years of employment (as in effect from time to time, the “Annual Base Salary”). The Annual Base Salary shall be subject to review every three years by the Board, in its sole discretion, for possible increase (but not decrease) and any such increased Annual Base Salary shall constitute “Annual Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(ii)         Annual Bonus. During the Employment Period, with respect to each completed fiscal year of the Company, Executive shall be eligible to receive a bonus (the “Bonus”) with a target amount equal to 100% of the Annual Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”) contingent upon the achievement of qualitative and quantitative performance goals (based on EBITDA targets) established by the Board and assessed solely at the discretion of the Board. The Bonus shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the Company’s bonus plan as in effect from time to time. The Bonus may be paid partially in cash and partially in equity, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. For 2014 and for any year in which the Employment Period expires due to non-extension, Executive shall be entitled to a prorated Bonus based on the actual performance results for such year, prorated based on the number of days elapsed in such year and payable when the Bonus would ordinarily be payable.

 

(iii)        Special Bonus. In consideration for the termination of that certain Instrument of Accession and Certificate of Class B Membership Interest by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Executive, dated as of August 8, 2013 (the “Class B Membership Agreement”), which the Parties acknowledge and agree shall terminate, and Executive shall have no further rights thereunder, as of the Effective Date, the Company shall pay to Executive a one-time award equal to $1,250,000 (the “Special Bonus”), subject to the terms and condition set forth in this Section 2(c)(iii). The Special Bonus shall vest in four (4) substantially equal installments on each of the Effective Date and the first three (3) anniversaries thereof, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company on each applicable vesting date. The Special Bonus shall be payable in cash or shares of common stock of the Company, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion and less all applicable withholdings, within thirty (30) days following the applicable vesting date.

 

(iv)        Benefits. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in all retirement, compensation and employee benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company to the extent applicable generally to senior executives of the Company (except severance plans, policies, practices, or programs) subject to the eligibility criteria set forth therein, as such may be amended or terminated from time to time. During the Employment Period, the Company will provide Executive with indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and directors’ and officers’ insurance coverage.

 

(v)         Expenses. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in performance of Executive’s duties hereunder provided that Executive provides all necessary documentation in accordance with the Company’s policies.

 

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(vi)        Indemnification. The Company shall maintain an adequate level of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance to protect the Executive from liability related to his employment with the Company on a basis no less favorable than that provided to any director or officer of the Company. To the extent Executive is not indemnified by such insurance, the Company agrees to indemnify the Executive for liability related to his employment with the Company, other than any liability related to the Executive’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud of material breach of this Agreement or any of the Company’s policies, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and to promptly advance to the Executive or the Executive’s heirs or representatives related expenses upon written request with appropriate documentation of such expense upon receipt of an undertaking by the Executive or on the Executive’s behalf to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the Executive is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. The Company further agrees that such indemnification and agreement to advance expenses shall survive the Executive’s resignation, termination or expiration of this Agreement, with respect to actions taken by him during his employment with the Company, unless such actions could have been grounds for termination for Cause.

 

(vii)       Claw-Back. The Company may claw back from Executive any Bonus and equity-based compensation received in the prior year if the Company is required to restate financial results due to material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirements; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to claw back any Bonus or equity-based compensation received by Executive, irrespective of when received, that is required to be recovered pursuant to Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act once the rules thereunder have been implemented.

 

3.           Termination of Employment.

 

(a)          Death or Disability. Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death. If Executive becomes subject to a “Disability” (as defined below) during the Employment Period, the Company may give Executive written notice in accordance with Sections 3(g) and 9(g) of its intention to terminate Executive’s employment. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means Executive’s inability to perform Executive’s duties hereunder by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or one hundred eighty (180) days or more in any twelve (12) month period.

 

(b)          Cause. Executive’s employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for “Cause” (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean Executive’s (i) commission of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude, (ii) engaging in conduct that constitutes fraud or embezzlement, (iii) engaging in conduct that constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct that results or could reasonably be expected to result in harm to the Company Group’s business or reputation, (iv) breach of any material terms of Executive’s employment, including this Agreement or (v) continued willful failure to substantially perform Executive’s duties. Executive’s employment shall not be terminated for “Cause” within the meaning of clauses (iv) and (v) above unless Executive has been given written notice by the Company stating the basis for such intended termination and Executive is given fifteen (15) days to cure, to the extent curable, the neglect or conduct that is the basis of any such claim.

 

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(c)          Termination Without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause at any time for any reason or no reason upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice.

 

(i)          Good Reason. Executive’s employment may be terminated by Executive for Good Reason upon the occurrence of any event or condition constituting Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means any of the following actions taken by the Company without Executive’s written consent: (i) any material failure of the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) a material and adverse change to, or a material reduction of, Executive’s duties and responsibilities to the Company, (iii) a material reduction in Executive’s then current Annual Base Salary (not including any diminution related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive specifically and that is not more than 10% in the aggregate), or (iv) the relocation of Executive’s primary office to a location more than fifty (50) miles from the prior location, which materially increases Executive’s commute to work; provided, that any such event shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until Executive shall have provided the Company with notice thereof no later than thirty (30) days following the initial occurrence of such event and the Company shall have failed to remedy such event within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice (such 30-day period, the “Good Reason Cure Period”). If, at the end of the Good Reason Cure Period, the event or condition that constitutes Good Reason has not been remedied, Executive will be entitled to terminate employment for Good Reason during the 30-day period that follows the end of the Good Reason Cure Period. If Executive does not terminate employment during such 30-day period, Executive shall not be permitted to terminate employment for Good Reason as a result of such event or condition.

 

(d)          Voluntary Termination. Executive’s employment may be terminated at any time by Executive without Good Reason upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice.

 

(e)          Termination as a Result of Expiration of the Employment Period. Unless otherwise agreed between the parties, Executive’s employment shall automatically terminate upon the expiration of the Employment Period.

 

(f)           Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or without Cause or by reason of Disability, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other Party hereto given in accordance with Section 9(g). For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the “Date of Termination” (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

 

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(g)          Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, without Cause or by reason of Disability, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (in the case of a termination with or without Good Reason, provided such Date of Termination is in accordance with Section 3(d) or Section 3(e)), (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death, and (iii) the expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executive’s employment upon the date of such expiration.

 

4.           Obligations of the Company upon Termination.

 

(a)          For Good Reason; Without Cause. If during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive shall terminate Executive’s employment for Good Reason, then the Company will provide Executive with the following payments and/or benefits:

 

(i)          The Company shall pay to Executive (A) any vested payments or benefits to which Executive or Executive’s estate may be entitled to receive under any of the Company’s benefit plans or applicable law, in accordance with the terms of such plans or law and (B) as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 60 days following the Date of Termination in a lump sum to the extent not previously paid, (1) the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (2) the Bonus earned for any fiscal year ended prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, provided that Executive was employed on the last day of such fiscal year, and (3) the amount of any unpaid expense reimbursements to which Executive may be entitled pursuant to Section 2(c)(v) hereof (clauses (A) and (B), the “Accrued Obligations”); and

 

(ii)         Subject to Section 4(e) below, after the Date of Termination, the Company will pay Executive severance in an amount equal to one and one-half times (1.5x) the sum of (x) Executive’s Annual Base Salary plus (y) the amount of Executive’s Bonus for the year immediately prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs (the “Severance Payment”). The Severance Payment shall, subject to Section 4(e) below, be made in a lump sum on the date that is sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination, subject to the terms and conditions in Section 4(e) below.

 

(b)          Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability, then the Company will provide Executive with the Accrued Obligations. Thereafter, the Company Group shall have no further obligation to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives.

 

(c)          Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason, then the Company will provide Executive with the Accrued Obligations. Thereafter, the Company Group shall have no further obligation to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives.

 

(d)          Expiration of the Employment Period. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated by reason of the expiration of the Employment Period as result of the Company’s or Executive’s non-extension, then the Company will provide Executive with the Accrued Obligations. Thereafter, the Company Group shall have no further obligation to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives.

 

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(e)          Separation Agreement and General Release. The Company’s obligation to make the Severance Payment is conditioned on Executive’s or Executive’s legal representative’s executing a separation agreement and general release of claims related to or arising from Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination of employment, against the Company Group (and their respective officers and directors) in a form reasonably determined by the Company, which shall be provided by the Company to Executive within five (5) days following the Date of Termination; provided, that if such release does not become effective and irrevocable in accordance with its terms within fifty-five (55) days following the Date of Termination, the Company shall not have any obligation to provide the Severance Payment.

 

5.           Restrictive Covenants.

 

(a)           Non-Solicitation. In consideration of Executive’s employment and receipt of payments hereunder, during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination (the “Restricted Period”), Executive shall not directly, or indirectly through another person, (x) induce or attempt to induce any employee, representative, agent or consultant of the Company or any of its affiliates (the “Company Group”) to leave the employ or services of the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company Group and any employee, representative, agent or consultant thereof, (y) hire any person who was an employee, representative, agent or consultant of the Company Group at any time during the twelve-month period immediately prior to the date on which such hiring would take place or (z) directly or indirectly call on, solicit or service any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor, representative, agent or other business relation of the Company Group in order to induce or attempt to induce such person to cease doing business with, or reduce the amount of business conducted with, the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee, licensor, representative, agent or business relation of the Company Group. No action by another person or entity shall be deemed to be a breach of this provision unless the Executive directly or indirectly assisted, encouraged or otherwise counseled such person or entity to engage in such activity.

 

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(b)          Non-Competition. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company Group would be irreparably damaged if Executive were to provide services to any person competing with the Company Group or engaged in a similar business and that such competition by Executive would result in a significant loss of goodwill by the Company Group. Therefore, in consideration of the payments and benefits provided to Executive and other obligations of the Company to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company’s promise and obligation to provide Executive with Confidential Information (as defined below), Executive agrees that during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not (and shall cause each of Executive’s affiliates not to) directly or indirectly own any interest in, manage, control, participate in (whether as an officer, director, manager, employee, partner, equity holder, member, agent, representative or otherwise), consult with, render services for, or in any other manner engage in any business engaged directly or indirectly, in the Geographic Area (as defined below), in the business of the Company Group as currently conducted or proposed to be conducted as of the Date of Termination; provided, that nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 5% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded so long as Executive does not actively participate in the business of such corporation. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Geographic Area” shall mean the United States of America and any other country or territory in which the Company Group has material business operations.

 

(c)          Non-Disclosure; Non-Use of Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that the Company Group has a legitimate and continuing proprietary interest in the protection of its Confidential Information and that it has invested substantial sums and will continue to invest substantial sums to develop, maintain and protect such Confidential Information. Executive shall not disclose or use at any time, either during Executive’s employment with the Company or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information of which Executive is or becomes aware, whether or not such information is developed by Executive, except to the extent that such disclosure or use is directly related to and required by Executive’s performance in good faith of duties assigned to Executive by the Company. Executive will take all appropriate steps to safeguard Confidential Information in Executive’s possession and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, or at any time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) relating to the Confidential Information or the “Work Product” (as defined in Section 5(e)(ii)) of the business of the Company Group that Executive may then possess or have under Executive’s control.

 

(d)          Proprietary Rights. Executive recognizes that the Company Group possesses a legitimate and continuing proprietary interest in all Confidential Information and Work Product and has the exclusive right and privilege to use, protect by copyright, patent or trademark, or otherwise exploit the processes, ideas and concepts described therein to the exclusion of Executive, except as otherwise agreed between the Company Group and Executive in writing. Executive expressly agrees that any Work Product made or developed by Executive or Executive’s agents during the course of Executive’s employment, including any Work Product which is based on or arises out of Work Product, shall be the property of and inure to the exclusive benefit of the Company Group. Executive further agrees that all Work Product developed by Executive (whether or not able to be protected by copyright, patent or trademark) during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, or involving the use of the time, materials or other resources of the Company Group, shall be promptly disclosed to the Company Group and shall become the exclusive property of the Company Group, and Executive shall execute and deliver any and all documents necessary or appropriate to implement the foregoing.

 

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(e)          Certain Definitions.

 

(i)          As used herein, the term “Confidential Information” means information that is not generally known to the public (but for purposes of clarity, Confidential Information shall never exclude any such information that becomes known to the public because of Executive’s unauthorized disclosure) and that is used, developed or obtained by the Company Group in connection with its business, including, but not limited to, information, observations and data obtained by Executive while employed by the Company Group concerning (A) the business or affairs of the Company Group, (B) products or services, (C) fees, costs and pricing structures, (D) designs, (E) analyses, (F) drawings, photographs and reports, (G) computer software, including operating systems, applications and program listings, (H) flow charts, manuals and documentation, (I) databases, (J) accounting and business methods, (K) inventions, devices, new developments, methods and processes, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice, (L) customers and clients and customer or client lists, (M) other copyrightable works, (N) all production methods, processes, strategies, plans, technology and trade secrets, (O) personnel information, and (P) all similar and related information in whatever form. Confidential Information will not include any information that has been published in a form generally available to the public (except as a result of Executive’s unauthorized disclosure) prior to the date Executive proposes to disclose or use such information. Confidential Information will not be deemed to have been published or otherwise disclosed merely because individual portions of the information have been separately published, but only if all material features comprising such information have been published in combination.

 

(ii)         As used herein, the term “Work Product” means all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos and all similar or related information (whether patentable or unpatentable) that relates to the Company Group’s actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether or not during usual business hours and whether or not alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed by the Company together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, trade name and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing.

 

(f)          Enforcement. If Executive commits a breach of any of the provisions of this Section 5 or Section 6 below, the Company shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions specifically enforced by any court having jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed by Executive that the services being rendered hereunder to the Company Group are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and that any such breach will cause irreparable injury to the Company Group and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company Group. Such right and remedy shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company at law or in equity. Accordingly, Executive consents to the issuance of an injunction, whether preliminary or permanent, consistent with the terms of this Agreement (without posting a bond or other security) if the Company establishes a violation of Section 5 or 6 of this Agreement.

 

(g)          Blue Pencil. If, at any time, the provisions of this Section 5 shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable under any applicable law, by reason of being vague or unreasonable as to area, duration or scope of activity, this Agreement shall be considered divisible and shall become and be immediately amended to only such area, duration and scope of activity as shall be determined to be reasonable and enforceable by the court or other body having jurisdiction over the matter and Executive and the Company agree that this Agreement as so amended shall be valid and binding as though any invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included herein.

 

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(h)          EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS SECTION 5 AND HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW ITS PROVISIONS WITH ANY ADVISORS AS EXECUTIVE CONSIDERED NECESSARY AND THAT EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THIS AGREEMENT’S CONTENTS AND SIGNIFIES SUCH UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT BY SIGNING BELOW.

 

(i)          Severance Payments. In addition to the rights and remedies available to the Company under this Agreement, and not in any way in limitation of any right or remedy otherwise available to the Company Group, in the event that Executive violates any material term of this Agreement or any other agreement between the Company and Executive, (i) the Company’s obligation to pay the Severance Payment and Executive’s right to receive such Severance Payment shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and (ii) Executive shall promptly repay to the Company an amount equal to the portion of the Severance Payment previously paid to Executive.

 

6.           Non-Disparagement.

 

(a)          During the Employment Period and at all times thereafter, neither Executive nor Executive’s agents shall directly or indirectly, whether in public or private, make, publish, encourage, ratify, or authorize; or assist or enable any other person or entity in making, authorizing, ratifying, or publishing; any statements that in any way defame, criticize, malign, impugn, reflect negatively on, or disparage any of the Company Parties (as defined below), or cast any of the Company Parties in a negative light in any manner whatsoever. Executive also agrees that Executive will not publicly comment upon or discuss, or assist or permit any other person or entity to publicly comment upon or discuss, any of the Company Parties with any media source or outlet (whether negatively or otherwise), including but not limited to or with any reporters, bloggers, weblogs, websites, newspapers, magazines, television stations or productions, radio stations, news organizations, news outlets, or publications, or in any movie, book, or theatrical production. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful responses to (i) legal process or governmental inquiry or (ii) by private statements to the Company’s officers, directors or employees; provided, that in the case of Executive, with respect to clause (ii), such statements are made in the course of carrying out Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Company Parties” shall include the Company Group and all of its members; and all of the past, present, and future stockholders, members, partners, principals, investors, directors, officers, managers, benefit plans, fiduciaries, employees, agents, attorneys, heirs, representatives, administrators, successors, and assigns of any of the foregoing entities. Each of the Company Parties shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement and shall be authorized to enforce this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

(b)          During the Employment Period and at all times thereafter, the Company shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that no member of the Board nor any senior executive of the Company (the “Key Persons”) shall directly or indirectly, whether in public or private, make, publish, encourage, ratify, or authorize; or assist or enable any other person or entity in making, authorizing, ratifying, or publishing; any statements that in any way defame, criticize, malign, impugn, reflect negatively on, or disparage the Executive, or cast the Executive in a negative light in any manner whatsoever. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful responses to (i) legal process or governmental inquiry or (ii) by private statements to the Company’s officers, directors or employees by Key Persons; provided, that with respect to clause (ii), such statements are made in the course of carrying out the Key Person’s duties pursuant to the Company.

 

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7.           Confidentiality of Agreement.

 

The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree that the discussions and correspondence that led to this Agreement are private and confidential. Except as may be required by applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange requirement, neither Party may disclose the above information to any other person or entity without the prior written approval of the other Party.

 

8.           Executive’s Representations, Warranties and Covenants.

 

(a)          Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

(i)          Executive has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by Executive;

 

(ii)         the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Executive is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which Executive is subject;

 

(iii)        Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, consulting agreement, non-compete agreement, fee for services agreement, confidentiality agreement or similar agreement with any other person;

 

(iv)        upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms;

 

(v)         Executive understands that the Company will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of Executive set forth herein and Executive consents to such reliance; and

 

(vi)        as of the date of execution of this Agreement, Executive is not in breach of any of its terms, including having committed any acts that would form the basis for a Cause termination if such act had occurred after the Effective Date.

 

(b)          The Company hereby represents and warrants to Executive that:

 

(i)          the Company has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by the Company;

 

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(ii)         the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Company is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Company is subject;

 

(iii)        upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms; and

 

(iv)        the Company understands that Executive will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth herein and the Company consents to such reliance.

 

9.           General Provisions.

 

(a)          Severability. It is the desire and intent of the Parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights and obligations of any Party under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected thereby, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction; furthermore, in lieu of such invalid or unenforceable provision there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement, a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

(b)          Entire Agreement and Effectiveness. Effective as of the Effective Date, this Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way, including, without limitation, the Class B Membership Agreement.

 

(c)          Successors and Assigns.

 

(i)          This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal representatives.

 

(ii)         This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company Group and their successors and assigns.

 

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(d)          Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

 

(e)          Enforcement.

 

(i)          Arbitration. Except as specifically set forth in Sections 5(f) of this Agreement, in consideration of Executive’s employment with the Company and Executive’s receipt of compensation and other benefits under this Agreement, EXECUTIVE AGREES THAT ANY AND ALL CONTROVERSIES, CLAIMS, OR DISPUTES WITH ANYONE (INCLUDING THE COMPANY GROUP AND ANY EMPLOYEE, OFFICER, DIRECTOR, STOCKHOLDER OR BENEFIT PLAN OF THE COMPANY GROUP, IN THEIR CAPACITY AS SUCH OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR RESULTING FROM EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY OR THE TERMINATION OF EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY, INCLUDING ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO BINDING ARBITRATION. Such arbitration shall take place in Dallas, Texas (unless the Parties agree in writing to a different location), before a single arbitrator, who shall be an attorney, in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Executive agrees that the arbitrator shall have the power to decide any motions brought by any party to the arbitration, including motions for summary judgment and/or adjudication and motions to dismiss and demurrers, prior to any arbitration hearing. Executive also agrees that the arbitrator shall have the power to award any remedies, including attorneys’ fees and costs, available under applicable law. The decision and award made by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and conclusive on all Parties hereto for all purposes, and judgment may be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company will bear the totality of the arbitrator’s and administrative fees and costs. Each Party shall otherwise bear its own litigation costs and expenses; provided, however, that the arbitrator shall have the discretion to award the prevailing Party reimbursement of its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. The arbitration shall be conducted on a strictly confidential basis, and Executive shall not disclose the existence of a claim, the nature of a claim, any documents, exhibits, or information exchanged or presented in connection with such a claim, or the result of any claim (collectively, “Arbitration Materials”) to any third party, with the sole exception of Executive’s legal counsel, who Executive shall ensure also fully complies with the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement. In the event of any court proceeding to challenge or enforce an arbitrator’s award, the Parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in Dallas, Texas and agree to exclusive venue in Dallas, Texas. The Parties hereby agree to take all steps necessary to protect the confidentiality of the Arbitration Materials in connection with any court proceeding, agree to take all appropriate steps to file all Confidential Information (and documents containing Confidential Information) under seal in any such proceeding where possible, and agree to the entry of an appropriate protective order encompassing the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement.

 

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(ii)         Remedies. All remedies hereunder are cumulative, are in addition to any other remedies provided for by law and may, to the extent permitted by law, be exercised concurrently or separately, and the exercise of any one remedy shall not be deemed to be an election of such remedy or to preclude the exercise of any other remedy.

 

(iii)        Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

(f)           Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended and waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and Executive and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

(g)          Notices. Any notice provided for in this Agreement must be in writing and must be either personally delivered, transmitted via telecopier, mailed by first class mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the recipient at the address below indicated or at such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder and received when delivered personally, when received if transmitted via telecopier, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit for overnight delivery with a reputable overnight courier service.

 

If to the Company, to:

 

Green Brick Partners, Inc.
3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

Attention: Chairman of the Board

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
One Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036
Facsimile: (212) 872-1002
Attention: Kerry Berchem

 

If to Executive, to:

 

Executive’s home address most recently on file with the Company.

 

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(h)          Withholdings Taxes. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

(i)           Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. All representations, warranties and agreements contained herein shall survive any termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement.

 

(j)           Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. All references to a “Section” in this Agreement are to a section of this Agreement unless otherwise noted.

 

(k)          Construction. Where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained herein, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any Party.

 

(l)           Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(m)         Section 409A.

 

(i)          Compliance. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement is intended to be interpreted and applied so that the payments and benefits set forth herein either shall either be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be exempt from or in compliance with Code Section 409A. To the extent that the Company determines that any provision of this Agreement would cause the Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A, the Company shall be entitled to reform such provision to attempt to comply with or be exempt from Code Section 409A through good faith modifications. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Executive and the Company without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event does the Company, its affiliates, officers, equityholders, employees, agents, members, directors, or representatives guarantee the exemption from or compliance with Code Section 409A and no such party shall have any liability for failure of this Agreement to be exempt from or comply with such Code section.

 

(ii)         Separate Payments. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each payment payable hereunder shall be deemed to be a payment in a series of separate payments for purposes of Code Section 409A.

 

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(iii)        Specified Employee. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or elsewhere to the contrary, if on the date of Executive’s termination from employment with the Company, Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and the Final Treasury Regulations using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time, or if none, the default methodology under Code Section 409A, any payments or benefits that constitute non-exempt deferred compensation under Code Section 409A and that are due upon a termination of Executive’s employment shall be delayed and paid or provided (or commence, in the case of installments) on the first payroll date on or following the earlier of (i) the date which is six (6) months and one (1) day after Executive’s termination of employment for any reason other than death, and (ii) the date of Executive’s death, and any remaining payments and benefits shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for such payment or benefit.

 

(iv)        Separation from Service. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or elsewhere to the contrary, a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits that constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A upon or following a termination of Executive’s employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service” and the date of such separation from service shall be the date of termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for purposes of any such payment or benefits.

 

(v)         No Designation. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement or otherwise which constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.

 

(vi)        Expense Reimbursement. With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Code Section 409A, (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year, and (iii) such payments shall be made on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred.

 

(n)          Excess Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any of the payments or benefits provided or to be provided by the Company or any its affiliates to Executive or for Executive’s benefit pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (“Covered Payments”) are determined to constitute “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and would, but for this Section 9(n) be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) or any similar tax imposed by state or local law or any interest or penalties with respect to such taxes (collectively, the “Excise Tax”), then the Covered Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the Covered Payments is subject to the Excise Tax. All determinations required to be made under this Section 9(n), including whether a payment would result in an “excess parachute payment” and the assumptions utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by an accounting firm selected by the Company.

 

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(o)          Employee Not to Act. The Employee agrees that the Employee is not entitled to, and will not, exercise any rights of the Company under this Agreement or act for or on behalf of the Company under this Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC.
     
  By: /s/James R. Brickman
    Name:  James R. Brickman
    Title:  Chief Executive Officer
   
  EXECUTIVE
   
  /s/ Jason Corley
  Jason Corley

 

[Signature Page to Corley Employment Agreement]

 

 

 

 



 

Exhibit 10.18

 

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This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT by and between Green Brick Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Jed Dolson (“Executive”) (each a “Party” and collectively the “Parties”) is made as of October 27, 2014 (the “Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive as Head of Land Acquisition and Development, and Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth in this employment agreement (this “Agreement”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants, understandings, representations, warranties, undertakings and promises hereinafter set forth, intending to be legally bound thereby, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.           Employment Period.

 

Subject to earlier termination in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed by the Company for a period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Employment Period”) unless the parties mutually agree to extend the term at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Employment Period. Upon Executive’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, at the Company’s request, Executive shall immediately resign all positions with the Company and all of its subsidiaries and its affiliates (collectively, the “Company Group”), including any position as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).

 

2.           Terms of Employment.

 

(a)          Position. During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as Head of Land Acquisition and Development and will perform such duties and exercise such supervision with regard to the business of the Company as are associated with such position, including such duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”) and the Board. Executive shall report directly to the CEO and if reasonably requested by the Board, Executive hereby agrees to serve (without additional compensation) as an officer and director of the Company Group.

 

(b)          Duties. During the Employment Period, Executive shall have such responsibilities, duties, and authority that are customary for Executive’s position, subject at all times to the control of the CEO and the Board, and shall perform such services as customarily are provided by an executive of a corporation with Executive’s position and such other services consistent with Executive’s position, as shall be assigned to Executive from time to time by the CEO and the Board. During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote all of Executive’s business time to the business and affairs of the Company Group and to use Executive’s commercially reasonable efforts to perform faithfully, effectively and efficiently Executive’s responsibilities and obligations hereunder. Executive shall be entitled to engage in charitable and educational activities and to manage Executive’s personal and family investments, to the extent such activities are not competitive with the business of the Company Group, do not interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties for the Company Group and are otherwise consistent with the Company Group’s governance policies.

 

 
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(c)          Compensation.

 

(i)          Base Salary. During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive an annual base salary in an amount equal to three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000), less all applicable withholdings, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company and prorated for partial calendar years of employment (as in effect from time to time, the “Annual Base Salary”). The Annual Base Salary shall be subject to review every three years by the Board, in its sole discretion, for possible increase (but not decrease) and any such increased Annual Base Salary shall constitute “Annual Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(ii)         Annual Bonus. During the Employment Period, with respect to each completed fiscal year of the Company, Executive shall be eligible to receive a bonus (the “Bonus”) with a target amount equal to 100% of the Annual Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”) contingent upon the achievement of qualitative and quantitative performance goals (based on EBITDA targets) established by the Board and assessed solely at the discretion of the Board. The Bonus shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the Company’s bonus plan as in effect from time to time. The Bonus may be paid partially in cash and partially in equity, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. For 2014 and for any year in which the Employment Period expires due to non-extension, Executive shall be entitled to a prorated Bonus based on the actual performance results for such year, prorated based on the number of days elapsed in such year and payable when the Bonus would ordinarily be payable.

 

(iii)        Special Bonus. In consideration for the termination of that certain Instrument of Accession and Certificate of Class B Membership Interest by and between JBGL Builder Finance LLC and Executive, dated as of August 8, 2013 (the “Class B Membership Agreement”), which the Parties acknowledge and agree shall terminate, and Executive shall have no further rights thereunder, as of the Effective Date, the Company shall pay to Executive a one-time award equal to $1,250,000 (the “Special Bonus”), subject to the terms and condition set forth in this Section 2(c)(iii). The Special Bonus shall vest in four (4) substantially equal installments on each of the Effective Date and the first three (3) anniversaries thereof, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company on each applicable vesting date. The Special Bonus shall be payable in cash or shares of common stock of the Company, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion and less all applicable withholdings, within thirty (30) days following the applicable vesting date.

 

(iv)        Benefits. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in all retirement, compensation and employee benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company to the extent applicable generally to senior executives of the Company (except severance plans, policies, practices, or programs) subject to the eligibility criteria set forth therein, as such may be amended or terminated from time to time. During the Employment Period, the Company will provide Executive with indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and directors’ and officers’ insurance coverage. In addition, Executive shall be eligible to receive a car, cell phone and toll road allowance.

 

(v)         Expenses. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in performance of Executive’s duties hereunder provided that Executive provides all necessary documentation in accordance with the Company’s policies.

 

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(vi)        Indemnification. The Company shall maintain an adequate level of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance to protect the Executive from liability related to his employment with the Company on a basis no less favorable than that provided to any director or officer of the Company. To the extent Executive is not indemnified by such insurance, the Company agrees to indemnify the Executive for liability related to his employment with the Company, other than any liability related to the Executive’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud of material breach of this Agreement or any of the Company’s policies, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and to promptly advance to the Executive or the Executive’s heirs or representatives related expenses upon written request with appropriate documentation of such expense upon receipt of an undertaking by the Executive or on the Executive’s behalf to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the Executive is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. The Company further agrees that such indemnification and agreement to advance expenses shall survive the Executive’s resignation, termination or expiration of this Agreement, with respect to actions taken by him during his employment with the Company, unless such actions could have been grounds for termination for Cause.

 

(vii)       Claw-Back. The Company may claw back from Executive any Bonus and equity-based compensation received in the prior year if the Company is required to restate financial results due to material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirements; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to claw back any Bonus or equity-based compensation received by Executive, irrespective of when received, that is required to be recovered pursuant to Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act once the rules thereunder have been implemented.

 

3.           Termination of Employment.

 

(a)          Death or Disability. Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death. If Executive becomes subject to a “Disability” (as defined below) during the Employment Period, the Company may give Executive written notice in accordance with Sections 3(g) and 9(g) of its intention to terminate Executive’s employment. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means Executive’s inability to perform Executive’s duties hereunder by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or one hundred eighty (180) days or more in any twelve (12) month period.

 

(b)          Cause. Executive’s employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for “Cause” (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean Executive’s (i) commission of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude, (ii) engaging in conduct that constitutes fraud or embezzlement, (iii) engaging in conduct that constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct that results or could reasonably be expected to result in harm to the Company Group’s business or reputation, (iv) breach of any material terms of Executive’s employment, including this Agreement or (v) continued willful failure to substantially perform Executive’s duties. Executive’s employment shall not be terminated for “Cause” within the meaning of clauses (iv) and (v) above unless Executive has been given written notice by the Company stating the basis for such intended termination and Executive is given fifteen (15) days to cure, to the extent curable, the neglect or conduct that is the basis of any such claim.

 

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(c)          Termination Without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause at any time for any reason or no reason upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice.

 

(i)          Good Reason. Executive’s employment may be terminated by Executive for Good Reason upon the occurrence of any event or condition constituting Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means any of the following actions taken by the Company without Executive’s written consent: (i) any material failure of the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) a material and adverse change to, or a material reduction of, Executive’s duties and responsibilities to the Company, (iii) a material reduction in Executive’s then current Annual Base Salary (not including any diminution related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive specifically and that is not more than 10% in the aggregate), or (iv) the relocation of Executive’s primary office to a location more than fifty (50) miles from the prior location, which materially increases Executive’s commute to work; provided, that any such event shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until Executive shall have provided the Company with notice thereof no later than thirty (30) days following the initial occurrence of such event and the Company shall have failed to remedy such event within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice (such 30-day period, the “Good Reason Cure Period”). If, at the end of the Good Reason Cure Period, the event or condition that constitutes Good Reason has not been remedied, Executive will be entitled to terminate employment for Good Reason during the 30-day period that follows the end of the Good Reason Cure Period. If Executive does not terminate employment during such 30-day period, Executive shall not be permitted to terminate employment for Good Reason as a result of such event or condition.

 

(d)          Voluntary Termination. Executive’s employment may be terminated at any time by Executive without Good Reason upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice.

 

(e)          Termination as a Result of Expiration of the Employment Period. Unless otherwise agreed between the parties, Executive’s employment shall automatically terminate upon the expiration of the Employment Period.

 

(f)           Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or without Cause or by reason of Disability, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other Party hereto given in accordance with Section 9(g). For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the “Date of Termination” (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

 

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(g)          Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, without Cause or by reason of Disability, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (in the case of a termination with or without Good Reason, provided such Date of Termination is in accordance with Section 3(d) or Section 3(e)), (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death, and (iii) the expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executive’s employment upon the date of such expiration.

 

4.           Obligations of the Company upon Termination.

 

(a)          For Good Reason; Without Cause. If during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive shall terminate Executive’s employment for Good Reason, then the Company will provide Executive with the following payments and/or benefits:

 

(i)          The Company shall pay to Executive (A) any vested payments or benefits to which Executive or Executive’s estate may be entitled to receive under any of the Company’s benefit plans or applicable law, in accordance with the terms of such plans or law and (B) as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 60 days following the Date of Termination in a lump sum to the extent not previously paid, (1) the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (2) the Bonus earned for any fiscal year ended prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, provided that Executive was employed on the last day of such fiscal year, and (3) the amount of any unpaid expense reimbursements to which Executive may be entitled pursuant to Section 2(c)(v) hereof (clauses (A) and (B), the “Accrued Obligations”); and

 

(ii)         Subject to Section 4(e) below, after the Date of Termination, the Company will pay Executive severance in an amount equal to one and one-half times (1.5x) the sum of (x) Executive’s Annual Base Salary plus (y) the amount of Executive’s Bonus for the year immediately prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs (the “Severance Payment”). The Severance Payment shall, subject to Section 4(e) below, be made in a lump sum on the date that is sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination, subject to the terms and conditions in Section 4(e) below.

 

(b)          Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability, then the Company will provide Executive with the Accrued Obligations. Thereafter, the Company Group shall have no further obligation to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives.

 

(c)          Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason, then the Company will provide Executive with the Accrued Obligations. Thereafter, the Company Group shall have no further obligation to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives.

 

(d)          Expiration of the Employment Period. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated by reason of the expiration of the Employment Period as result of the Company’s or Executive’s non-extension, then the Company will provide Executive with the Accrued Obligations. Thereafter, the Company Group shall have no further obligation to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives.

 

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(e)          Separation Agreement and General Release. The Company’s obligation to make the Severance Payment is conditioned on Executive’s or Executive’s legal representative’s executing a separation agreement and general release of claims related to or arising from Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination of employment, against the Company Group (and their respective officers and directors) in a form reasonably determined by the Company, which shall be provided by the Company to Executive within five (5) days following the Date of Termination; provided, that if such release does not become effective and irrevocable in accordance with its terms within fifty-five (55) days following the Date of Termination, the Company shall not have any obligation to provide the Severance Payment.

 

5.           Restrictive Covenants.

 

(a)           Non-Solicitation. In consideration of Executive’s employment and receipt of payments hereunder, during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination (the “Restricted Period”), Executive shall not directly, or indirectly through another person, (x) induce or attempt to induce any employee, representative, agent or consultant of the Company or any of its affiliates (the “Company Group”) to leave the employ or services of the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company Group and any employee, representative, agent or consultant thereof, (y) hire any person who was an employee, representative, agent or consultant of the Company Group at any time during the twelve-month period immediately prior to the date on which such hiring would take place or (z) directly or indirectly call on, solicit or service any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor, representative, agent or other business relation of the Company Group in order to induce or attempt to induce such person to cease doing business with, or reduce the amount of business conducted with, the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee, licensor, representative, agent or business relation of the Company Group. No action by another person or entity shall be deemed to be a breach of this provision unless the Executive directly or indirectly assisted, encouraged or otherwise counseled such person or entity to engage in such activity.

 

(b)          Non-Competition. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company Group would be irreparably damaged if Executive were to provide services to any person competing with the Company Group or engaged in a similar business and that such competition by Executive would result in a significant loss of goodwill by the Company Group. Therefore, in consideration of the payments and benefits provided to Executive and other obligations of the Company to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company’s promise and obligation to provide Executive with Confidential Information (as defined below), Executive agrees that during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not (and shall cause each of Executive’s affiliates not to) directly or indirectly own any interest in, manage, control, participate in (whether as an officer, director, manager, employee, partner, equity holder, member, agent, representative or otherwise), consult with, render services for, or in any other manner engage in any business engaged directly or indirectly, in the Geographic Area (as defined below), in the business of the Company Group as currently conducted or proposed to be conducted as of the Date of Termination; provided, that nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 5% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded so long as Executive does not actively participate in the business of such corporation. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Geographic Area” shall mean the United States of America and any other country or territory in which the Company Group has material business operations.

 

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(c)          Non-Disclosure; Non-Use of Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that the Company Group has a legitimate and continuing proprietary interest in the protection of its Confidential Information and that it has invested substantial sums and will continue to invest substantial sums to develop, maintain and protect such Confidential Information. Executive shall not disclose or use at any time, either during Executive’s employment with the Company or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information of which Executive is or becomes aware, whether or not such information is developed by Executive, except to the extent that such disclosure or use is directly related to and required by Executive’s performance in good faith of duties assigned to Executive by the Company. Executive will take all appropriate steps to safeguard Confidential Information in Executive’s possession and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, or at any time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) relating to the Confidential Information or the “Work Product” (as defined in Section 5(e)(ii)) of the business of the Company Group that Executive may then possess or have under Executive’s control.

 

(d)          Proprietary Rights. Executive recognizes that the Company Group possesses a legitimate and continuing proprietary interest in all Confidential Information and Work Product and has the exclusive right and privilege to use, protect by copyright, patent or trademark, or otherwise exploit the processes, ideas and concepts described therein to the exclusion of Executive, except as otherwise agreed between the Company Group and Executive in writing. Executive expressly agrees that any Work Product made or developed by Executive or Executive’s agents during the course of Executive’s employment, including any Work Product which is based on or arises out of Work Product, shall be the property of and inure to the exclusive benefit of the Company Group. Executive further agrees that all Work Product developed by Executive (whether or not able to be protected by copyright, patent or trademark) during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, or involving the use of the time, materials or other resources of the Company Group, shall be promptly disclosed to the Company Group and shall become the exclusive property of the Company Group, and Executive shall execute and deliver any and all documents necessary or appropriate to implement the foregoing.

 

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(e)          Certain Definitions.

 

(i)          As used herein, the term “Confidential Information” means information that is not generally known to the public (but for purposes of clarity, Confidential Information shall never exclude any such information that becomes known to the public because of Executive’s unauthorized disclosure) and that is used, developed or obtained by the Company Group in connection with its business, including, but not limited to, information, observations and data obtained by Executive while employed by the Company Group concerning (A) the business or affairs of the Company Group, (B) products or services, (C) fees, costs and pricing structures, (D) designs, (E) analyses, (F) drawings, photographs and reports, (G) computer software, including operating systems, applications and program listings, (H) flow charts, manuals and documentation, (I) databases, (J) accounting and business methods, (K) inventions, devices, new developments, methods and processes, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice, (L) customers and clients and customer or client lists, (M) other copyrightable works, (N) all production methods, processes, strategies, plans, technology and trade secrets, (O) personnel information, and (P) all similar and related information in whatever form. Confidential Information will not include any information that has been published in a form generally available to the public (except as a result of Executive’s unauthorized disclosure) prior to the date Executive proposes to disclose or use such information. Confidential Information will not be deemed to have been published or otherwise disclosed merely because individual portions of the information have been separately published, but only if all material features comprising such information have been published in combination.

 

(ii)         As used herein, the term “Work Product” means all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos and all similar or related information (whether patentable or unpatentable) that relates to the Company Group’s actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether or not during usual business hours and whether or not alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed by the Company together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, trade name and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing.

 

(f)          Enforcement. If Executive commits a breach of any of the provisions of this Section 5 or Section 6 below, the Company shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions specifically enforced by any court having jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed by Executive that the services being rendered hereunder to the Company Group are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and that any such breach will cause irreparable injury to the Company Group and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company Group. Such right and remedy shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company at law or in equity. Accordingly, Executive consents to the issuance of an injunction, whether preliminary or permanent, consistent with the terms of this Agreement (without posting a bond or other security) if the Company establishes a violation of Section 5 or 6 of this Agreement.

 

(g)          Blue Pencil. If, at any time, the provisions of this Section 5 shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable under any applicable law, by reason of being vague or unreasonable as to area, duration or scope of activity, this Agreement shall be considered divisible and shall become and be immediately amended to only such area, duration and scope of activity as shall be determined to be reasonable and enforceable by the court or other body having jurisdiction over the matter and Executive and the Company agree that this Agreement as so amended shall be valid and binding as though any invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included herein.

 

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(h)          EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS SECTION 5 AND HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW ITS PROVISIONS WITH ANY ADVISORS AS EXECUTIVE CONSIDERED NECESSARY AND THAT EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THIS AGREEMENT’S CONTENTS AND SIGNIFIES SUCH UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT BY SIGNING BELOW.

 

(i)          Severance Payments. In addition to the rights and remedies available to the Company under this Agreement, and not in any way in limitation of any right or remedy otherwise available to the Company Group, in the event that Executive violates any material term of this Agreement or any other agreement between the Company and Executive, (i) the Company’s obligation to pay the Severance Payment and Executive’s right to receive such Severance Payment shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and (ii) Executive shall promptly repay to the Company an amount equal to the portion of the Severance Payment previously paid to Executive.

 

6.           Non-Disparagement.

 

(a)          During the Employment Period and at all times thereafter, neither Executive nor Executive’s agents shall directly or indirectly, whether in public or private, make, publish, encourage, ratify, or authorize; or assist or enable any other person or entity in making, authorizing, ratifying, or publishing; any statements that in any way defame, criticize, malign, impugn, reflect negatively on, or disparage any of the Company Parties (as defined below), or cast any of the Company Parties in a negative light in any manner whatsoever. Executive also agrees that Executive will not publicly comment upon or discuss, or assist or permit any other person or entity to publicly comment upon or discuss, any of the Company Parties with any media source or outlet (whether negatively or otherwise), including but not limited to or with any reporters, bloggers, weblogs, websites, newspapers, magazines, television stations or productions, radio stations, news organizations, news outlets, or publications, or in any movie, book, or theatrical production. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful responses to (i) legal process or governmental inquiry or (ii) by private statements to the Company’s officers, directors or employees; provided, that in the case of Executive, with respect to clause (ii), such statements are made in the course of carrying out Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Company Parties” shall include the Company Group and all of its members; and all of the past, present, and future stockholders, members, partners, principals, investors, directors, officers, managers, benefit plans, fiduciaries, employees, agents, attorneys, heirs, representatives, administrators, successors, and assigns of any of the foregoing entities. Each of the Company Parties shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement and shall be authorized to enforce this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

(b)          During the Employment Period and at all times thereafter, the Company shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that no member of the Board nor any senior executive of the Company (the “Key Persons”) shall directly or indirectly, whether in public or private, make, publish, encourage, ratify, or authorize; or assist or enable any other person or entity in making, authorizing, ratifying, or publishing; any statements that in any way defame, criticize, malign, impugn, reflect negatively on, or disparage the Executive, or cast the Executive in a negative light in any manner whatsoever. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful responses to (i) legal process or governmental inquiry or (ii) by private statements to the Company’s officers, directors or employees by Key Persons; provided, that with respect to clause (ii), such statements are made in the course of carrying out the Key Person’s duties pursuant to the Company.

 

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7.           Confidentiality of Agreement.

 

The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree that the discussions and correspondence that led to this Agreement are private and confidential. Except as may be required by applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange requirement, neither Party may disclose the above information to any other person or entity without the prior written approval of the other Party.

 

8.           Executive’s Representations, Warranties and Covenants.

 

(a)          Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

(i)          Executive has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by Executive;

 

(ii)         the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Executive is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which Executive is subject;

 

(iii)        Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, consulting agreement, non-compete agreement, fee for services agreement, confidentiality agreement or similar agreement with any other person;

 

(iv)        upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms;

 

(v)         Executive understands that the Company will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of Executive set forth herein and Executive consents to such reliance; and

 

(vi)        as of the date of execution of this Agreement, Executive is not in breach of any of its terms, including having committed any acts that would form the basis for a Cause termination if such act had occurred after the Effective Date.

 

(b)          The Company hereby represents and warrants to Executive that:

 

(i)          the Company has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by the Company;

 

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(ii)         the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Company is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Company is subject;

 

(iii)        upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms; and

 

(iv)        the Company understands that Executive will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth herein and the Company consents to such reliance.

 

9.           General Provisions.

 

(a)          Severability. It is the desire and intent of the Parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights and obligations of any Party under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected thereby, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction; furthermore, in lieu of such invalid or unenforceable provision there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement, a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

(b)          Entire Agreement and Effectiveness. Effective as of the Effective Date, this Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way, including, without limitation, the Class B Membership Agreement.

 

(c)          Successors and Assigns.

 

(i)          This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal representatives.

 

(ii)         This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company Group and their successors and assigns.

 

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(d)          Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

 

(e)          Enforcement.

 

(i)          Arbitration. Except as specifically set forth in Sections 5(f) of this Agreement, in consideration of Executive’s employment with the Company and Executive’s receipt of compensation and other benefits under this Agreement, EXECUTIVE AGREES THAT ANY AND ALL CONTROVERSIES, CLAIMS, OR DISPUTES WITH ANYONE (INCLUDING THE COMPANY GROUP AND ANY EMPLOYEE, OFFICER, DIRECTOR, STOCKHOLDER OR BENEFIT PLAN OF THE COMPANY GROUP, IN THEIR CAPACITY AS SUCH OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR RESULTING FROM EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY OR THE TERMINATION OF EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY, INCLUDING ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO BINDING ARBITRATION. Such arbitration shall take place in Dallas, Texas (unless the Parties agree in writing to a different location), before a single arbitrator, who shall be an attorney, in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Executive agrees that the arbitrator shall have the power to decide any motions brought by any party to the arbitration, including motions for summary judgment and/or adjudication and motions to dismiss and demurrers, prior to any arbitration hearing. Executive also agrees that the arbitrator shall have the power to award any remedies, including attorneys’ fees and costs, available under applicable law. The decision and award made by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and conclusive on all Parties hereto for all purposes, and judgment may be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company will bear the totality of the arbitrator’s and administrative fees and costs. Each Party shall otherwise bear its own litigation costs and expenses; provided, however, that the arbitrator shall have the discretion to award the prevailing Party reimbursement of its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. The arbitration shall be conducted on a strictly confidential basis, and Executive shall not disclose the existence of a claim, the nature of a claim, any documents, exhibits, or information exchanged or presented in connection with such a claim, or the result of any claim (collectively, “Arbitration Materials”) to any third party, with the sole exception of Executive’s legal counsel, who Executive shall ensure also fully complies with the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement. In the event of any court proceeding to challenge or enforce an arbitrator’s award, the Parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in Dallas, Texas and agree to exclusive venue in Dallas, Texas. The Parties hereby agree to take all steps necessary to protect the confidentiality of the Arbitration Materials in connection with any court proceeding, agree to take all appropriate steps to file all Confidential Information (and documents containing Confidential Information) under seal in any such proceeding where possible, and agree to the entry of an appropriate protective order encompassing the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement.

 

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(ii)         Remedies. All remedies hereunder are cumulative, are in addition to any other remedies provided for by law and may, to the extent permitted by law, be exercised concurrently or separately, and the exercise of any one remedy shall not be deemed to be an election of such remedy or to preclude the exercise of any other remedy.

 

(iii)        Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

(f)           Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended and waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and Executive and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

(g)          Notices. Any notice provided for in this Agreement must be in writing and must be either personally delivered, transmitted via telecopier, mailed by first class mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the recipient at the address below indicated or at such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder and received when delivered personally, when received if transmitted via telecopier, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit for overnight delivery with a reputable overnight courier service.

 

If to the Company, to:

 

Green Brick Partners, Inc.

3131 Harvard Avenue, Suite 103

Dallas, TX 75205

Attention: Chairman of the Board

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

One Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036
Facsimile: (212) 872-1002
Attention: Kerry Berchem

 

If to Executive, to:

 

Executive’s home address most recently on file with the Company.

 

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(h)          Withholdings Taxes. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

(i)           Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. All representations, warranties and agreements contained herein shall survive any termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement.

 

(j)           Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. All references to a “Section” in this Agreement are to a section of this Agreement unless otherwise noted.

 

(k)          Construction. Where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained herein, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any Party.

 

(l)           Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(m)         Section 409A.

 

(i)          Compliance. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement is intended to be interpreted and applied so that the payments and benefits set forth herein either shall either be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be exempt from or in compliance with Code Section 409A. To the extent that the Company determines that any provision of this Agreement would cause the Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A, the Company shall be entitled to reform such provision to attempt to comply with or be exempt from Code Section 409A through good faith modifications. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Executive and the Company without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event does the Company, its affiliates, officers, equityholders, employees, agents, members, directors, or representatives guarantee the exemption from or compliance with Code Section 409A and no such party shall have any liability for failure of this Agreement to be exempt from or comply with such Code section.

 

(ii)         Separate Payments. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each payment payable hereunder shall be deemed to be a payment in a series of separate payments for purposes of Code Section 409A.

 

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(iii)        Specified Employee. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or elsewhere to the contrary, if on the date of Executive’s termination from employment with the Company, Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and the Final Treasury Regulations using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time, or if none, the default methodology under Code Section 409A, any payments or benefits that constitute non-exempt deferred compensation under Code Section 409A and that are due upon a termination of Executive’s employment shall be delayed and paid or provided (or commence, in the case of installments) on the first payroll date on or following the earlier of (i) the date which is six (6) months and one (1) day after Executive’s termination of employment for any reason other than death, and (ii) the date of Executive’s death, and any remaining payments and benefits shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for such payment or benefit.

 

(iv)        Separation from Service. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or elsewhere to the contrary, a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits that constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A upon or following a termination of Executive’s employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service” and the date of such separation from service shall be the date of termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for purposes of any such payment or benefits.

 

(v)         No Designation. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement or otherwise which constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.

 

(vi)        Expense Reimbursement. With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Code Section 409A, (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year, and (iii) such payments shall be made on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred.

 

(n)          Excess Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any of the payments or benefits provided or to be provided by the Company or any its affiliates to Executive or for Executive’s benefit pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (“Covered Payments”) are determined to constitute “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and would, but for this Section 9(n) be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) or any similar tax imposed by state or local law or any interest or penalties with respect to such taxes (collectively, the “Excise Tax”), then the Covered Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the Covered Payments is subject to the Excise Tax. All determinations required to be made under this Section 9(n), including whether a payment would result in an “excess parachute payment” and the assumptions utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by an accounting firm selected by the Company.

 

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(o)          Employee Not to Act. The Employee agrees that the Employee is not entitled to, and will not, exercise any rights of the Company under this Agreement or act for or on behalf of the Company under this Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC.
     
  By: /s/James R. Brickman
    Name:  James R. Brickman
    Title:  Chief Executive Officer
     
  EXECUTIVE
   
  /s/ Jed Dolson
  Jed Dolson

 

[Signature Page to Dolson Employment Agreement]

 

 

 

 



Exhibit 16.1

 

 

 

 

 

October 31, 2014

 

 

 

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Office of the Chief Accountant

100 F Street, NE

Washington, DC 20549

 

Re: Green Brick Partners, Inc.

File No. 001-33530

 

Dear Sir or Madam:

 

We have read Item 4.01 of Form 8-K of Green Brick Partners, Inc. dated October 31, 2014, and agree with the statements concerning our Firm contained therein.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12221 Merit Drive · Suite 1800 Dallas, Texas 75251

972.404.1010 Facsimile 972.404.1122 • E-mail: hmpc@hmpc.com www.hmpc.com

 

 



 

Exhibit 99.1

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

GREEN BRICK ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF ACQUISITION OF JBGL

 

DALLAS, TEXAS – October 27, 2014 – GREEN BRICK PARTNERS, INC. (NASDAQ:GRBK) (the “Company” or “Green Brick,” which was formerly known as BioFuel Energy Corp.) announced today that it has completed its previously announced acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of the equity interests of JBGL Builder Finance, LLC and certain subsidiaries of JBGL Capital, LP from certain affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. (“Greenlight”), and James R. Brickman. The purchase price for the Acquisition was $275 million, which consisted of approximately $191.8 million in cash with the remainder in 11,108,500 shares of Green Brick common stock valued at $7.49 per share pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition. After consummation of the Acquisition, Greenlight owns approximately 49.9% of the Company’s outstanding common stock and James R. Brickman, along with certain family members and trusts affiliated with Mr. Brickman, owns approximately 8.4% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

 

In connection with the closing of the Acquisition, the Company consummated its previously announced rights offering which raised gross proceeds of $70 million and entered into a $150 million loan agreement with Greenlight.

 

In connection with the Acquisition, today the Company changed its name to Green Brick Partners, Inc. Green Brick’s common stock will start trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol, “GRBK,” on October 28, 2014. Also in connection with the closing, David Einhorn was appointed Chairman of the Board of Green Brick and James R. Brickman was appointed Chief Executive Officer.

 

“As a private company, we have developed a great lot position, superior operators, aligned management, and achieved strong financial results,” stated Jim Brickman, Chief Executive Officer. “We expect to become even stronger as a public company because we now have permanent capital, the ability to retain earnings tax efficiently and access to capital for future growth. In summary, we believe that our prospects have never been better.”

 

“We are very pleased to help transition BioFuel Energy, the former ethanol producer, into Green Brick Partners, a successful homebuilder,” said David Einhorn, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “This deal is a win-win for everyone involved and creates an exciting platform for Green Brick’s future growth.”

 

 
 

  

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Any statements in this press release about Green Brick’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, prospects, financial condition, assumptions or future events or performance, including statements regarding the Acquisition and effects of the Acquisition, that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believe," "anticipate," "should," "intend," "plan," "will," "expect(s)," "estimate(s)," "project(s)," "positioned," "strategy," "outlook" and similar expressions. These statements are based on assumptions that the Company has made in light of its experience in the industry as well as its perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. Accordingly, all such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in the statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are the following: economic changes either nationally or in the markets in which we operate, including declines in employment, volatility of mortgage interest rates and inflation; a downturn in the homebuilding industry; continued volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader financial markets; our future operating results and financial condition; our business operations; changes in our business and investment strategy; availability of land to acquire and our ability to acquire such land on favorable terms or at all; availability, terms and deployment of capital; continued or increased disruption in the availability of mortgage financing or the number of foreclosures in our markets; shortages of or increased prices for labor, land or raw materials used in housing construction; delays in land development or home construction resulting from adverse weather conditions or other events outside our control; the cost and availability of insurance and surety bonds; changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, governmental laws and regulations; the interpretation of or changes to tax, labor and environmental laws; the timing of receipt of regulatory approvals and the opening of projects; required accounting changes; the degree and nature of our competition; our leverage and debt service obligations; operating and business disruption following the Acquisition; and operating Green Brick as a public company. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated are discussed in the definitive proxy statement filed by BioFuel Energy Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2014. Because the factors referred to above could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by Green Brick, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and Green Brick undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such date.

 

Contact:     Jason Hibbs  
  Chief Financial Officer  
  (214) 521-0632  

 

 

 

 

 

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